MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRYCHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS

I was never a big sayer of "Merry Christmas," until this year. I didn't used to be taken back or take offense to Happy Holidays. Becasue I considered them as Christmas and New Year's. But now, I consider Happy Holidays a backhanded salute to the season, and not the celebration of the birth of the King.

I also notice I don't care much for Santa any more. Not that he ever displaced Jesus. But I saw him as someone who was kind and brought joy to the Christmas season. Not as a rival or a subtitutionary figure for Jesus, but an aside, a diversion that wasn't harmful. I mean he had a good heart and a lot of stamina to deliver all those presents to all those kids in one night. I do remember thinking as a child who still believed in him, that he must get awfully full if he ate something from everybody's house that he visited. But he was no threat.

Maybe he's still no threat, but our society is so secular now that I'm not so certain. To those with little spiritual awareness, he may just be taking the place of Jesus. Obviously I don't like that at all. So Santa is becoming irrelevant to me. I still like the reindeer and sleigh, but I don't know. Maybe it's all the PCness in the world.

At our Small Group last night, one of our friends shared how she's having to struggle to deal with her company's Holiday Party because some co-workers are doing a skit making fun of "Silent Night", by altering the lyrics. It's not as if they don't know her religious beliefs; nor or they trying to be mean to her. They're just spiritually void.

It's getting to be that way. I remember when I first heard the term secular humanism. I thought those to be on the lunatic fringe. Suddenly, well not so suddenly, but now they're mainstream.

Rather than wring our hands, we have to look at this change as an opportunity for us to reach the members of our society who don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Maybe we can begin by saying Merry Christmas and letting others know that we'd really appreciate it if they made fun of lyrics from non-religious Christmas or holiday songs. Or to paraphrase, "Let there be Merry Christmas on earth and let it begin with me". (Sorry, maybe that paraphrase is as bad as the parody on "Silent Night"). All I know, and I do have an answer this time, is that Jesus is the reason for the season (you don't even hear that much anymore) and it's time to celebrate that. And add to His kingdom.

Merry Christmas 2007!!

JESUS: LORD AT BIRTH



And the Magi came. It took them awhile to get there. Maybe as long as one or two years. But they were persistent in their quest. They were determined to see the Holy One.



When the church doors are opened on Sunday, we should have that same persistence. We should be on the lookout for the Holy One. When we miss worship service, we miss out on corporate worship. We deprive ourselves of a spiritual blessing.



The Magi saw. They saw Jesus. At His house. They didn't get there in time for the manger or grotto. But they saw the Lord of Lords as an infant. They came looking for hope, and they found Him.



When church doors are opened on Sunday, we can see Jesus. We see saints who are trying to live for God everyday. We see people struggling with life. But they come. Sunday after Sunday. If we come looking for hope through God's grace, there's a great possibility that we will find it. That we will be victorious in our quest.



The Magi worshipped. They fell on their knees. They brought gifts. Three gifts. One which was used for the dead. Foreshadowing the cross, for which He was sent.



When church doors are opened on Sunday, we can worship. We can experience the presence of God. We can make worship significant in our lives. We can give His tithes and our offerings. To demonstrate He is sovereign and to further the kingdom.



Yes, we are the Magi. Don't miss out like so many others at that time. And the present time. Come, let's adore Him.

SMILE, JESUS LOVES YOU OR DON'T WORRY:BE HAPPY

I never much liked people telling me I should be happy. I don't even like it when someone snaps a photo and tells me to smile. I never liked the smiley face. But I'm not a grump.

Psalm 100 tells us to worship the Lord with gladness: we are His people. I have no problem doing that. I love being called His people or heir to the kingdom. I love being in worship service. As I've shared before, I just feel better when I'm at church. I feel as if my load has been lightened, and it has.

But Thessalonians 5:18 tells us "to be joyful always. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you." Ok, I'm back again with making a choice I don't like.

But I'm wrong in my thinking that way. We must remember who is there with us, by us, yoked to us. And what He has done for us in the past. But sometimes that is so hard. Even when I think of God's faithfulness, of God's promises, I still have trouble overcoming loss. Of not focusing on what will not, cannot be.

A friend of mine last week lost his 35 year-old son to a sudden heart attack. He's a strong man of faith, and I'm so glad he is. If I know him, he's gone to scripture for comfort. I hope he turns to Psalm 100:5 "The Lord is good and His love endures forever." We must show reverence to God in all situations; not just when we want to feel good at church. We have to let God be God and know that we must focus on the future. We know He's in our corner and that He does no wrong.

And if that's as hard for you to do as it is for me. If you don't want to smile just because someone tells you to, then maybe we can take heart in a prayer that an English pastor prayed after disasters in his life. It went something like this,"Thank you Dear Lord that times like these don't last".

I pray that they go quickly for my friend Lou. His son will always live in his heart. Just like his God.

WHEN IT'S TIME TO GET NOSEY

As part of my wife's ministry, on a small scale, she takes care of printing personalized birthday and anniversary cards for members of our Adult Bible Fellowship class. All the other members sign the cards with a brief note. People seem to appreciate them and CQ enjoys making them.

We have three couples who have dropped out of our class and our worship services. I suggested we send Christmas cards to them with words of love and encouragement. I signed one of the cards while my wife signed the other two.

I simply wished them a Merry Christmas and great 2008 and told them we really missed them in our class.

But I'm thinking I should have written more, or more to the point. It should have gone like this:

Dear friends,

Where have you been and what are you thinking? Why did you decide to leave our church and not attend another? Do you think God would approve? I'm certainly not judging nor condemning, even though it may sound that way. We want you back. And not for selfish reasons that we want a larger class. We just miss you and are calling you out. If there is anything any of us can do to help, please let us know. We never want to cause or see a Christian brother and sister stumble, but if you have, then we're offering a hand to help you get back to where you belong. In Christ's love, T and CQ

That sounds way too harsh. I think it's the way scripture tells us how to deal with Christians who have sinned, but I'm glad I didn't write that. Somewhere in between. That's where the answer is. Somewhere in between what I wrote and what I wanted to write.

WHAT ARE THEY TEACHING THESE KIDS ANYWAY(S)?

I have a few friends still in seminary. In different parts of the country. One recently shared with me a tidbit that one of his professors shared with a class recently.

It seems that this professor was questioning whether or not Solomon was in Heaven. To begin with, I didn't think it was for us to judge, but as a former non-seminary professor of mine used to say, "no never mind".

My student friend asked him if he meant that someone who had written 3 books of the Bible (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon) or 1/22nd of the Holy Bible breathed by God was not in Heaven? "Well, that's a good point," was the answer he received.

The seminary prof had apparently based his view on the fact that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Now had he questioned that Solomon was the most intelligent man ever, based on that fact, then I could understand. But a seminary prof questioning whether or not any person is in Heaven, and to base that presumption on his lifestyle or works is not what I have read about salvation and God's gift of grace.

Without a doubt, God uses all kinds of people for His purpose. But I don't think He would use a person separated from the Father for all eternity to compose three books of Holy scripture.

WERE YOU THERE?

If we look towards the other end of the birth of Jesus this Christmas season we look squarely at the cross. And who was there.

Some were there for sorrow. Certainly His Mother, Mary Magdalene, Mary's sister, John, and another woman who some say was Jon's mother. But there were thousands on the hill at Golgotha that day. Some were there to mock, to dance, to tease Jesus to come down from the cross.

Where were the throngs? Where were the other followers? How about those who received His magnificent miracles? The 5,000 He fed? The shepherd was stuck and the sheep scattered.

It's a good thing we're not like that today. That's what I find about the people from Jesus' time and before. They just didn't act right. They weren't religious enough. Not like us. And if you haven't noticed my firmly planted tongue in cheek, then you're not reading closely.

How many times have we grown weak in a place of confrontation about Jesus? How about our silence in situations where non-followers of Jesus have been? Have many times have we pushed Him aside and ignored Him? Guilty as charged? Without a doubt.

And all the while on each side of the cross Jesus forgives. Only by God's grace are we taken back into the fold. Jesus didn't desert us, and He never will. "Stand up, stand up for Jesus," should be easy, especially this time of the year.

R STANDS FOR RIGHTEOUS IN THE EQUATION

Righteous is simply right thinking. I know, it's used disparagingly in these days. By some. Some who don't know.

It's first used in Genesis 15:6 where the Lord credited righteousness to Abram. For his belief in God. Abrahm's actions had demonstrated his obedience. Especially when he refused the spoils offered to him by the king of Sodom. But it was his faith and not his works that God noted.

Just as in our salvation, we can't get the horse before the cart. After we first believe and trust in the Lord, then we will want to perform good works. The good works will never save anyone. They will follow naturally as a new way of life.

In addition, we each have spiritual fruit unique to us as believers. We no longer are to envy others or be conceited. (Gal 5:26) That's not what we're about anymore. The fruit of the Holy Spirit, whom we received when we accepted Jesus as our savior, produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)

And why are these fruits unique to us as believers? Because it's only through God's grace that we can attain them. God doesn't want us to be independent because He knows we would fail. But with His help we can make great strides in attaining them.

Will we always demonstrate these spiritual fruits? C'mon. No way: we love and trust God, but we're still human. We will fail. But God's there to catch us when we fall and restore us to righteousness. Praise Him.

ME AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

We both love the outdoors. We both love Jesus. We both have been in the Jordan River. And we both have announced.

"Number 55, a senior forward--John GOOOOOOOgenOOOUURR." My last game as varsity basketball announcer. One of my last starting line up introductions. A scorekeeper for the Cahokia Commanches turned to look at me and shook his head. For, you see, I hadn't introduced his team members quite as excitedly and they were the opponents of the MTV Rams that evening.

Although I announced football longer--19 years to 10 years, I really enjoyed basketball more. I could ham it up more in the introductions. I worked with the Pep Band percussion section and with wild drums approaching the Blue Men Group, we would liven up an old high school gym right out of Hoosiers. I used to welcome all the guests to "the Snake Pit, Chagnon Gymnasium, Home of the MTV Rams". Some family member complained about my reference to the hallowed gym as a snake pit, but I meant no disrespect, so I dropped that part of the introduction.

But what about John the Baptist? How cool was it for him to be called the greatest prophet of the Old Testament? Furthermore, how awesome was it to announce to the world that Jesus was Messiah! Yes, the Son of God they had been waiting for! And He had come! Right there in their presence!

John the Baptist was honored to be able to make that announcement. We should be honored to be able to follow Him. To serve Him. To have a love relationship with Him.

Thanks, John. You got it right!

WHEN I FALL IN LOVE

The third principle in last night's BSF lecture, I didn't completely get. The second principle in last night's lecture escaped Discussion Leader buddy Brad who asked to see my notes. We both are capable note takers. It's not our first year in Bible Study Fellowship. Actually it's my 6th. Our teaching leader Dennis is a very good speaker. He enunciates well; he repeats the principles about 3 times each for emphasis. So what gives?

For me, the impact of his words. As I was taking the first half of the notes, thoughts raced through my mind and I was unable to brush them away long enough to complete the notes. The part of the third principle I got was "Christians must keep no competing allegiances to Christ." Even before Dennis finished, I was assessing. Do I do that? Even when he was repeating I was thinking, yeah I do. And when Dennis added, "After I got married, I don't think my wife would have wanted me to keep an old girlfriend or two around, and it's the same with the Lord."

Sometimes scripture you've known for years really jumps off the page when you re-read it. Maybe for the twentieth or fiftieth time when it never did before. It speaks directly to your heart. That's what this lesson did for me this week.

I had long known the scripture from Matthew 10:37-38 where Jesus is explaining the cost of being one of His followers: " Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me, anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." I think I had rationalized this by convincing myself that He was talking only about the 12, or at the most really devout Christians, the kinds persecuted in Foxes' Book of Martyrs. But for today's Christians, well that's not all that practical. We can rationalize about anything if we put our minds to it.

I have spoken many times of Gale Sayer's book, I am Third, in which he prioritized God is first, his family second, and him third. I love that. But I've been so guilty of number 2 being ahead of number 1; of number 3 being ahead of number 2 and number 1 so many times that I can't count.

But being told that my allegiance to loved ones is competing with God just as an allegiance to old girlfriends would be competing with my wife, well that clarified things for me. Since no one is comparable to God, then how could someone(s) compete with Him anyway(s)? Sometimes, just re-wording or looking at something from a different perspective makes the obvious clear.

I wonder what Brad missed from the second principle: "Christians can expect hostility from the world but comfort from the Lord"?

MY MAN!

I had to share, in my own words with inauthentic picture, an internet story passed on to me by a good friend. I'm sure it's fiction, but I hope it's not.

It seems there was this atheist who went to court to secure a date on the calendar that atheists could celebrate. He argued before the judge that Christians had Easter and Christmas. He continued that Jews had Yom Kippur and Hannukah. But atheists had nothing.

The judge announced, "Case dismissed," and banged the gavel with a loud rap.

"But why, Judge?" the atheist pleaded.

"You have your holiday. It's April 1. According to scripture, in Psalm 14:1 'A fool says there is no God.' April Fool's Day. That's your holiday. Now get out of my court."

Sometimes fiction is better than truth. But how our country needs judges like this!

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

"Lord, I want to still myself in Your strength," prays author Joni Tada. And I prayed that same prayer with her.

I'm not much into meditating. Our youth and music pastor Jason illustrated a great way to meditate on scripture. Part of it included memorization of scripture. I find as I get older I don't have that capacity as much as I did in my youth. In our study of The 40 Days of Purpose, and in our recent study of Seeking Him we were asked to memorize verses. One per week was all. I might have memorized 3 total. So that's definitely a spiritual discipline I need to improve on.

There are so many others that I'll need the Lord to bless me with a long life to be able to complete, or in some cases just make headway into them. For example, today.

I awoke with a cold, somewhat better but still nagging. It was raining. Certainly a blessing in the desert. But except for one afternoon this week, we have had cloud cover like the Midwest. Warmer temps for November, no doubt. Over coffee I read the newspaper which reported a 0.38 inch rainfall in the last 24 hours. Former Pastor Keith Stanford would have said,"Balderdash!" Present Pastor Rob would probably have said, "Yeah, right." I mean c'mon. It has been reported nearly every place in the valley has received between 1 and 2 inches of rain. With more coming today.

Besides, our paper has become so negative, so far left in editorial writers' views and letters to the editor they choose to run. And in today's paper they advertise a "7 foot inflatable manger for the religious aspect of the season". What? For the religious aspect? That's completely what Christmas is about. If you celebrate something else, well sorry, but you're simply adding on to Christian coat tails. And yesterday's paper ran a picture of Glendale's tumbleweed "holiday tree". Not Christmas tree mind you. Holiday tree.

So do you see why I need meditation. And it's not even 8 AM yet. But God sees all. Maybe He even sees my anger as holy anger or righteous anger. But I'm afraid now I'm trying to control Him. Would I do that? Boy, do I need a lot of work.

"HEY, YOU SUGAR BOOGERS, OLD LUCKY'S IN THE HOUSE"

You'd have to be a good ol' Southern Illinois boy or gal to understand today's title. Lucky Leroy had a local tv show on Saturday mornings. And that call was his way of letting you know it was time for his show.

Our Lord does it a lot more subtly. It's not done without fanfair. It's not done with great aplomb. There are no fireworks, no gimmicks. Oh, not that the people of all ages have not wanted them. "Show me a sign and I'll believe." "Perform just one more miracle." "If you'll get me through this time in my life, I'll follow you." In one way or another, these have been the calls of generation after generation.

But God doesn't work that way. Oh, He calls. For He's after our hearts. But He also gave us free will. To be after His heart. And He's given us signs. After signs. After signs. Is there ever enough? Will His people ever stop asking for signs that He is Lord, that He is sovereign? Yes, His people will stop asking. Because we believe. That's called faith.

Will the ones who aren't yet His people ever stop asking? Probably not. Yet these same people are readily able to accept UFO's, fortune tellers, horoscopes, even Ouija boards. Why? I guess it's as hard for me to understand that as it is for them to understand that God created all there is.

And that is so sad. They reject proof in scripture but accept conjecture and doubts by the doomsdayers. They embrace The DaVinci Code and secular humanism. They turn to Lucky Leroy. Meanwhile they miss out on the peace and comfort that the Lord God gives though His Son who died for them and the Holy Spirit who waits to indwell them. And He does it without all the bells and whistles and gimmicks. His Word and His faithfulness, His promise, and His grace are more than enough.

DO YOU THINK GOD WANTS US TO LOOK LIKE THIS?

There seems to be so much unhappiness in the world these days. People are angry. Discontented. Bitter. Full of worry and fret and seemingly hopelessness.

Newscasts are filled with distress, sadness, horror. If they can't find them on the streets of Phoenix, no problem--they'll just show some tragedy that happened preferably in the US, but if not, they'll take a good tsunami somewhere else. Editorial pages are the same. Impending doom. Somebody did something (or not) to cause someone else grief. Or someone else is making a profit that they don't deserve (because the writer didn't benefit). Maybe there's a rehash of old news. Better yet, a revisionist's views of history.

It's true, no one ever said life was easy. Someone once said "life is a bowl of cherries," whatever that means, but Jesus never said the Christian life would be easy. In fact, He took great pains to illustrate, to warn about the cost of following Him. But I can't envision His 12 having the countenance of Oliva Newton-John in the picture. Even when considering the sacrifices they would have to make.

God didn't create us to be unhappy. To be dour, to be critical, to be frustrated. I think it would certainly please Satan to see us in this negative light. Then an appeal from him would be more tempting.

Don't worry, though. God is"faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." (I Cor. 10:13) And, as the verse continues, "He will also provide a way out." But He's not done. He's provided armor (Eph 6:10-20) to do battle against Satan. At a local Christian bookstore, we purchased the clothes illustrating the armor of God--the breastplate, the shield, helmet, belt, footgear, and sword--for one of our grandson's Build-a-Bear. I mean, even a Build-a-Bear needs protection.

So, I'm not going to sing or hum the old song of annoyance, "Don't Worry: be Happy," and I'm sorry if that "It's a Small World" type ditty goes around and around in your head, but I am saying God is trustworthy. We're armed. So lighten up.

"IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME IN THE CITY"

I used to moan about hearing Christmas songs played in the malls of America. Some even before Halloween. No more, though. I never thought I'd see the day when saying "Merry Christmas" to someone could cause a problem. At least a hard look. Scrooges? Nope, well some. It's the topsy turvey America where we reject values and the American way. We embrace tolerance in the face of what is Godly. We accept the immoral; no, that's not right. We gravitate to it, adapt, and make it the new moral.

So when I hear Christmas music being played in stores these days, I appreciate it. Especially when it's "O, Holy Night," which I heard twice in Wal-Mart yesterday before I left the store. I especially like to hear Christian Christmas songs as you can imagine.

But some of the songs of the Advent weren't always so uplifting. "O, Come Emanuel," for example is a desolate song because the people of Israel before Jesus were in desolation. Similar to Pastor Don Piper's 90 minute experience in Heaven where he noted there were no sad songs longing for Messiah or addressing the cross, our songs at Christmas time should be praise songs in adoration of the birth of the Savior.

We need to adapt this attitude. Be thankful that religious songs can still be played in our secular world. Sing songs of adoration, for He has come and He lives today. And, as for now, we're able to celebrate His birth. Even if it's uncomfortable for some. Isaiah 40:1 tells us God comforts His people, so what may be uncomfortable for some, will feel just right for others.

HAS IT BEEN THAT LONG?

That Clara Peller asked in a 1984 Wendy's commercial, "Where's the beef?" My goodness, I'm getting old.

James in scripture asks that question. In fact, he devotes a whole book about it. About being a doer of the Word.

Just so we clear up any misunderstanding, James was not saying that works or beef will be necessary for salvation. He wasn't saying that at all. And it's a religious distortion or false teaching if anyone tells you that. For those who believe that, their good works are just that: good works. They better enjoy the rewards of doing good works on earth, because that's all they're going to get. There will be no similar reward in heaven if they think they can earn their salvation.

If you cannot tell, I feel pretty strong about that. Primarily because that's negating the cross. Jesus sacrificial death for our sins cannot be equaled or covered by anything we do, and to suppose that is simply erroneous. So James wasn't saying that we can earn our salvation.

What he was saying is that we need to live our salvation. If we have accepted Jesus' sacrifice for us, if we have claimed our inheritance as an heir of the kingdom of God, then we must show it in this life. By our works, by our service, by our actions, by our way of life.

When I get to Heaven, I'd much rather hear, "Well done, My good and faithful servant," instead of "Where's the beef?"

IT'S CHEAP, AND IT WILL BE APPRECIATED: WHAT'S MORE, IT'S OBEDIENT

And it would make a great Christmas present. What I'm talking about is writing a spiritual journal. To give to someone special this Christmas.

Two weeks ago we attended Saddleback Church in California. Our daughter attended there for over a year, fighting 1 and 1/2 to 2 hour traffic on the busy 5 until time requirements got the best of her. But we go back when we can, and when we or her brother and his family are in town.

Pastor Rick Warren and his wife Kay gave away 20,000 journals to the attendees at the six services they have each weekend. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of journaling for the sake of preservation and better understanding.

Pastor Rick pointed out that in Psalm 102:18 we are "to write down for the coming generation what the Lord has done, So that people not yet born will praise Him." That's reason enough to begin.

Recently my brother passed on to me my mother's bible. I shared it with our son, who commented that he remembered it. It was good to see her handwriting in the Bible. It had been awhile since she passed away in 1991. After we received the journal, I thought how great it would have been had my mother written something down about her spiritual walk, perhaps her testimony. That would really have touched my heart.

So in today's spiritual journal, ok it's really just a Christian blog entry, but at a prayer meeting last night at our church, Pastor Dave talked about different kinds of journals and included blogs, so I'll agree with him. But anyway(s) I'll offer a few suggestions for topics.

What are your favorite Bible verses? What is your favorite book in the Old Testament? The New Testament?

How have you seen the power of God's grace? How has grace enabled you not to sin?

If there's a distance between you and God, who moved? (I credited this quote to our lead pastor, and include it here to suggest that not all topics have to be positive in writing about our relationship with the Lord.)

From what sources to you get your spiritual nourishment?

What did you read in scripture today? Record your reflections or applications about God's Word and how it spoke to you.

How have you been feeding rather than grieving the Holy Spirit?

There. That should get you started. But remember, a spiritual journal is what you decide to make it. How can you go wrong when you surround yourself in thought, study, or meditation in God's Word? Writing will help you do that. And it will provide a great Christmas present for a loved one. Trust me; it will be appreciated, possibly cherished, and worth the effort.

JESUS AS THE LIVING FOUNT

En Gedi is a tremendous place in Israel. As we walked to "the spring of the goat", in 2006, we could picture David in hiding. 1Samuel 24 tells of his cutting of Saul's robe, yet his discipline, his obedience to God forbid his killing one of God's anointed. In response to his being spared, Saul told King David, "you have repaid good for evil".

To understand Jesus' reference to Him as living water, we look to biblical times. Before a village was established, there had to be a water source. Fresh water springs in the desert portion of Israel were ideal. The Hebrew word for these springs was En. Thus En Gedi, En Dor, and others.

In Jeremiah 2:13, God talks about the people of Israel forsaking Him, the spring of living water. When Jesus met the woman at the well in the book of John, He told her He would allow her to drink and never be thirsty. Drink from the living fount, the living water.

She doubted, was confused, probably thought Him crazed. Not unlike a lot of people today.

As we left En Gedi back in March of 2006. we could see Mount Neibel in Jordan where Moses was not allowed into the Promise Land. He's buried there. Joshua was allowed to enter there.

I'm saddened for Moses. But I'm more saddened for people who don't know Jesus as living water. Moses disappointment lasted for only awhile in his brief lifetime. People who don't know Jesus as Lord will be disappointed for eternity.

MARY PICKFORD OR HANNAH MONTANA?

It was a tough choice, you see. When our son and his family and our daughter come to AZ for Thanksgiving, we go ahead and exchange Christmas presents, too. So when selecting the prefect calendar for Amelia, our ten-year old granddaughter, I couldn't decide between a 16-month (how did merchandisers ever accept that idea?) Hannah Montana one or a Mary Pitchford one, pictured above.

Also, a High School Musical one or even a Hairspray calendar? It's tough making decisions that could affect the next twelve or even sixteen months. So I didn't make any decision. Those, sometimes, are the best I've found.

I love to shop for Christmas presents early. I like getting the whole process out of the way. It's not that I don't enjoy spending time searching for the right presents for the people I love, but there is pressure. I want them to enjoy. I want them not to utter,"Who the heck is Mary Pitchford and why would I want a 1917 calendar?"

But even more so, it takes away from the true celebration for the holiday. The birth of the King. Even at birth. In a grotto in a manger in Bethlehem. Absolutely nothing can ever diminish that in our earthly celebrations. Until we get to Easter, and we should celebrate that tremendous event with more celebrations.

So by getting our present exchange out of the way, we have more time to devote to our preparations for the Jesus Season. Just yesterday we were invited to two church Christmas parties. The theme of course will be centered around Jesus' birth. So I can't call them clutter. I can't call them obligations, because I want to attend both. I don't want to call them commitments. Appointments, engagements? Maybe engagements, because time commitments call for an obligatory appointment to engage in a celebration of the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That's it!

Friend Jeff Wilkinson told me of a family he knew that had a Jesus cake on Christmas Day. The day after, they all went shopping for Christmas presents (or post-presents) to be opened on New Year's Day, with a big meal. They didn't want anything to get in the way of their Christmas observance of the Lord's birthday. It might be called post haste rush or shopping deferred or self-gratification delayed, but however, or whatever it's called, it was a good idea to keep Jesus as our focus. That's the only way it should be.

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS

I love Thanksgiving. Always have. I eat much more turkey now, but even as a kid, I loved the taste of the bird. Ben Franklin wanted it to be our country's national bird instead of the eagle. I guess had he gotten his way, we would be sitting down picking at an eagle's carcass Thursday.

Does an eagle have a carcass? A turkey? Or is that reserved for the big boys like cattle? Anyway(s), while I love the turkey, I'm glad he's not our national bird. Except for Thanksgiving.

Ben Franklin was the youngest of 17 children. Imagine. And a genius. But he probably never said grace at his Thanksgiving meal. You see, as far as I can tell, Franklin had no religious beliefs. Here you have one of the smartest people ever to live. Yet he rejects God. I'd say that cancels out all his intelligence.

Oh, he's not alone. There are probably lots of families that sit down to Thanksgiving dinner and start shoveling it down. Without acknowledging God. There are many, I suppose, who only give thanks on holidays where big meals are served.

I love saying grace. I'm tempted to bless different courses, especially dessert. And I think God would like that. He told us to pray continuously. So why not?

If you, humble reader(s) are not in the practice (I won't call it a habit) of saying grace, I encourage you to. It's the right thing to do. And it even makes your food taste better--even Lean Cuisine.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving 2007.

SHOWER OR BATH? FULL IMMERSION OR SPRINKLED? VOLITION OR TRADITION?

I've heard various opinions expressed on which makes one cleaner--a shower or bath. When you shower, all the dirt gets washed down the drain, the shower practioners claim. But when you dry, the rest of the dirt from the bath that didn't go down the drain gets buffed off and you've enjoyed the luxury of lying down while getting clean. While Janet Leigh certainly made the wrong choice in Psycho, we'll just call it a draw between baths or showers.

What about baptisms? My wife and I have both had two. So we must be really spiritually clean, huh? We were both baptized at Logan Street, though not at the same time. But her first one was cool, and my last one was. What? The ones at Logan Street weren't? Well, mine was, but CQ's wasn't. Let me 'splain.

CQ was baptized in a Free Will Baptist Church at age 9. They had the baptisms at Injun' Creek nearby. Now how cool is it to be baptized at Injun' Creek? Had I know of its existence, I would have wanted my first one there. At an earlier age, too. My second one was in the Jordan River. Again, how cool is that? I have a video of it, too, along with the 8 others who were re-baptized with me on a recent trip to Israel. It was simply amazing!

Now, how about the other two. As I said, my wife was coerced into getting baptized again as a Southern Baptist. No longer a Southern Baptist practice, at the time the pastor encouraged her after we were married. Certainly we were going to go to Logan Street together, so back then you couldn't join the church by letter unless it was from one Southern Baptist to another. It was highly legalistic, and it seemed to invalidate her earlier baptism. She wouldn't do it again under those circumstances, and neither would I. We woud leave that church first. That practice has been eliminated now and for good reason.

But what about sprinkling as some churches do? As a lifelong Baptist, I don't understand it. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Some have wondered why, since He had no sin to be cleansed from. Matthew 2:15 tells us it was "to fulfill all righteousness". It was so Jesus could experience fully humanity. And it pleased the Father. (Matt 2:17)

So if Jesus was fully submerged and He was following the practice of John the Baptist who was called to preceed Jesus, and we are following Jesus, then as I said, I don't understand sprinkling. But I'm not about to judge the act. There's much about scripture and religion that I don't and never will know. I'll just defer to Deut 29:29 and accept that I'll find out in eternity, but for now, that's all I'm getting in the informational (and perhaps doctrinal) category.

To me, the most important thing is salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus. When one elects to follow Him in baptism, then that's excellent. Sprinkled or immersed? Bath or shower? We have our preferences. And we've rid ourselves of our uncleanliness. That should be all that matters.

HELLRAISER

I don't know what Hellraiser is. Movie or tv show. I don't think it's a documentary.

But I'd guess its appeal would be fright. As it should be. But there's one thing scarier to me than these 4, or any four that some writer or producer can concoct.

That's being in Hell. That's being separated from God. For eternity. Not only scarey, it's sickening. To think that a majority of people living now and a majority of people who have lived before have missed Heaven, have landed in Hell is so sad. To think that rebellion, disbelief, pride, and ultimately the worst possible choice was made willfully is staggering.

Gothic, the Darkside, Hellraisers--not for me. I'd rather hang around with Moses, John, Paul, Joshua, Elijah and many modern day saints. And, of course, Jesus Christ. I mean after all, it for eternity.

DAY FIVE

What a day! Of Creation, I mean. Genesis 1:20 tells of the creation of fish and birds of every kind. Along with every other sea inhabitant.

Many times I've heard others marvel at God's creating the stars, planets, galaxies and calling them all by name. Also His creation of the many, many kinds of beautiful birds and fish, distinct in their appearance alone is fascinating.

In fact, my vocabulary runs out quickly in describing the awesome power of Our Father. Too often we take for granted what He did. Or in a secular world, He doesn't even get the credit. But back to the ones who know. We gloss over the Creation and say, "God created the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day He rested."

Yet we look at the Sistine Chapel and ooh and ahh. We look at Mount Rushmore and appreciate the task, the intricacy of the handiwork. We flock to Niagara Falls. And time and time again we gasp at great athletic plays or achievements. All rightfully so. But don't stop there. Give due diligence.

To the Maker of it all. To the simply fabulous Creator. And do it over and over again.

When we adore the created over the Creator, we do Him a disservice. And when we ignore the Creator in favor of scientists who claim Big Bang, then we blaspheme.

We're much better served by "What a Mighty God is He," and "Our God is an Awesome God". He is so "worthy of worship, worthy of praise" even if He stopped on Day Five.

CARPE DIEM: IS IT ALWAYS BAD?

Carpe Diem or seize the day is a great Latin expression. I don't know why some phrases sound better in Latin, Greek, or Aramaic, but they do. Ok, in German, French, Spanish, too, some sound better to be fair.

Our Fall foliage viewing this Autumn was done in San Diego this weekend. It wasn't planned that way. That is, we had been to other places that boast of Fall foliage, but were too early. In a neighborhood surrounding our daughter's house is where we were able to see the beautiful change/ metamorphosis of the leaves. Funny, I never hear the leaves' changing colors referred to as a metamorphosis, but it is. Usually that term is reserved for Spring and coming to fruition.

My mother loved Fall. It was her favorite. But somehow I'm not sure she could enjoy it as much as she should have because she did not like Winter at all. It bothered her. Nearly every time she would notice and comment on God's beauty in her favorite season, it seemed she followed it with, "but Winter's coming soon".

A little carpe diem is good for all of us. I've written about focus. Thousands and thousands, gosh, probably millions of preachers had given sermons about focus and setting our sights on eternity. That's what scripture tells us. We can't live in two worlds, or we'll neglect the spiritual. We're aliens in this world, because it's a fallen world, a world of the flesh, a world tarnished by original sin.

But God may not be concerned about our comfort on this earth--that's what Heaven is for according to Rick Warren, but He is concerned about our happiness here and now. God wants us to enjoy. There's no greater joy than knowing Jesus and trusting Him. That's a spiritual given.

But the Creation was a gift from God for us to enjoy. To see and explore, to enjoy and to feel. To experience the awe of what a sovereign God can do. I'm not referring to the earth, but all Creation from the heavens and stars and oceans and sun and moon and birds, fish, and animals. And people. We're certainly to enjoy people. We are to love them as Christ loved us. (Jn 15:12-13)

So let's allow ourselves the present. Carpe Diem once in awhile. But we can never forget where true joy comes from. Where true happiness lasts. From Alpha to Omega (there's a good Greek phrase) it's still God who provides.

THE STEEPLES



I love to see tall church steeples. In big cities or small towns, the steeples proclaim.

I love the cross, obviously. And I love the display of the cross on churches' exteriors. They can even be on the top of the steeple, but somehow the steeple is important, too.

It directs my attention. Certainly the cross does, too. So they're both good. Like going inside a church, I have a warm feeling when seeing the steeple outside.

The Old North Church in Boston and the Midnight Ride may account for my attraction. I'm not sure. I love them in foreign countries, too, but that may come from knowing U.S. history.

Whatever it is, steeples attract. Lighted ones help. Then they double the time I'm attracted to them as they proudly point their finger toward Heaven and Our Father.

SBC AND JUBILEE

We're celebrating our 50th Anniversary at Scottsdale Baptist Church. Next Sunday is our culmination ending with, of course, a Baptist tradition--a pot luck dinner after worship services. Pastor E. V. Hill, on the right, either was there for the first or 25th Anniversary, I don't recall, but it was a special time that we're hoping will be duplicated next Sunday.

One month ago, Logan St. Baptist Church, our home church celebrated its 94 th anniversary with a huge celebration for the weekend of October 20-21. As they used to say in newspaper reports, "and a good time was had by all".

That's what we're hoping will happen next Sunday. While Logan St. looked back, of course, they looked forward with the hope of a new church to be erected on 42nd St. property of 31 acres. As SBC looked back to E. V. Hill and Pastor Stephens, we look forward with enthusiasm of growing Christians through the Word of God as we serve the community in Scottsdale. Both churches, of course, have as their number 1 priority, their number 1 purpose of winning lost souls for Jesus Christ. Evangelism will be number one at any church worth its salt (and light).

We were blessed this weekend to attend Saddleback Church and hear Pastor Rick Warren. Great things are happening at Saddleback. Parking was somewhat of a problem with all the campus construction and the building of the huge Student complex. In addition, their Small Groups are growing with Epic Ministry for 20+, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Family, Stepfamily, International, Crave (college age), Element (single adults), etc. If you don't find a Small Group for your age, interest, knowledge or maturation, then, I think they'll find one for you.

As far as the service itself, well, it's just awesome. You can feel God working there. Great things are happening. God is at work at Logan Street, Scottsdale Baptist, and Saddleback.

Growing in the Spirit takes a lifetime. It's time to get started.

PERFECT SUBMISSION... I'M HUMBLY BLESSED


"Say uncle?"

"Nope."

"Say uncle," the tone more demanding.

Silence.

The grip tightens.

"Say uncle!"

"Uncle." You know, nobody likes to say uncle. No one likes to submit. Whether to a superior, an equal, or worst of all, an inferior God has placed in a superior role. But, guess what? We're told to submit in all those situations.

Submitting to God is tough. Oh, it should be easy. But that's when we leave out pride. That's when we leave out self-control. That's we we get distracted, when we lose focus. If we simply followed the author of the unknown maxim, we would solve this problem:

Lord, I am willing to receive what You give,
Lack what You withhold,
And relinquish what You take.

We may think we have it bad, that we have suffered injustice at the hand of equals or sub-equals in our estimation. And, in fact, we may be right on in our assessments. But, you know what? It doesn't matter. What about Jesus? What about His treatment by sub-equals? Yet, He endured. Yet He was submissive. Yet He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16) Pain, shame, rejection, humiliation, and death.

And we have the audacity to complain about a spouse or boss that lords (pun intended) over us? That we know better?

Perfect submission? We may never achieve it, but we can submit to a Godly purpose. Willingly.

WHERE DO YOU GO TO PRAY?

Most in their homes or in their churches. Some in homes of friends at Small Group or Community Group meetings. Some on retreats.

Some like Jesus seek solitude and peace and alone time in an area where they find seclusion. One place that most of us have alone time is in our automobiles. It's about a 20 minute drive to church for me, and a little less for my BSF Monday night. With once a month Thursday night elder board meetings and almost-weekly Bible study on Tuesday morning with our pastor, I have plenty of opportunities to have audience with God. And I take advantage.

Not that my retired life is all that hectic, but I don't generally find myself searching for something to do. I certainly don't want to eliminate prayer time, so I'm thankful for the driving time. When I'm finished praying, and about half the time I have arrived at my destination uttering an Amen in the parking lot, I turn to Christian radio. What a good use of driving time.

I used to pray on my morning walks. I was somewhat not pleased when my wife wanted to join me. Only because it cut into my prayer time. Now she's the walker and she uses that time to become closer to God. When I get back into it, I'll be the intruder.

I know people who pray first thing in the morning. I know many people who bless each meal. I know Christians who pray just before the sleep. I even know a Christian from Idaho who prays when he wakes up in the middle of the night.

And I've never known anyone who though he/she prayed too much. There was a Dickens' character that threw a boot at his wife as she prayed because he thought "she was praying agin' me". I've heard it said that as long as teachers give pop quizzes, they can never take prayer out of the schools. They still open each session of Congress with prayer. So prayer isn't going away. After you pray for people, tell them. I don't think you'll find any that will ask you not to pray for them.

We may not have a Getsemane to go to for prayer (and I've been fortunate to be able to pray there as well) but we all have access and time. And what's best--we have a reason.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL

Monty Hall was a classic deal maker. The predecessor of Deal Or No Deal, Let's Make a Deal entertained tv audiences for close to three decades, I'd guess. You remember the scenario, pick one of three doors for prizes or zonks, the latter being laughable booby prizes.

The contestants could also trade for cash, unknown amount of course, another door, or something unseen under a cover of sorts. Well, you could only trade until you got something bad, then you were stuck.

Thankfully, that's not the way God's door works. He takes all our bad, our old Adam ways and exchanges them for good. Every time. There's nothing hidden. Everything's out in the open, above board, no surprises. And, no disappointments.

Have you ever heard of anyone who was sorry that he/she followed Jesus? Have you ever heard of anyone that talked about being a Christian and preferring another way of life, or returning to their old ways? Before you disagree with me because you know of people that used to walk with the Lord, but now don't, please let me finish. Have you ever known anyone who returned to their old ways and was happy?

I know people who have left the church. They went back through the door that was opened to them. But I don't know any that are happy. Memory loss or pushed back memories or hurt that they cannot get over or excessive pride, I don't profess to know the reasons people leave church, but anger should be included as well. Maybe at the top of the list. But, again, angry people aren't happy people.

If you were once a church-goer, or if you've not been a church-goer, then I simply ask you to open that door. Attend one service at the church of your choice. "I've been to church. I don't go becasue of the hypocrites there." If that's your attitude, then go to another church. Just once this week.

All it will cost you is your time. You will feel better. Guaranteed. You might even see me there, because if it's Sunday, I'll be worshipping somewhere. And that's the deal: you go to church this week and I will, too. Or as a former Sunday School Director Russell Laur would always say,"You be in your place, and I'll be in mine."

DEPRIVED OF THE BLESSINGS

In Don Piper's follow up book, Heaven is Real, he writes about 3 septuagenarians (70 year olds) who answered an altar call and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Rev. Piper was so pleased. And saddened.

They had missed out on a life with God. To calm the storms, to lean on, to direct, to forgive, to instruct, to bless, and a thousand more infinitives.

Why had they rebelled all those years? Why had they let others things distract them? What were their idols where they burned up their time? How did they miss the obvious? How did they overlook making the most important decision in their lives?

Rev. Piper doesn't answer. He may question, but he also accepts them where they are. Sound familiar? That's what Our Lord does, too. Only He remembers or pictures us at our best. That is when we love Him and obey Him, according to friend and SBC brother Pastor Hal.

If you like semantics, onamastics, word derivations, then by all means look them up as the graffiti says. The Lord wants us to enjoy this life, too. But prioritization, that's a big word to type, is the key. Whatever we do, we need to set aside quality time for quality time with the Lord. In His Word, in prayer, and in His service.