Peace on Earth sounds pretty good Linus...

One of the fondest memories I have from my childhood is the exuberance and joy I felt each year when CBS aired A Charlie Brown Christmas. The show first came on in 1965 and has aired annually since that first broadcast (except now on ABC).

I had the privilege of sitting down with my own family and watching it last night...and I still got goosebumps at this famous monologue:






ABC did a very good job promoting the show this year too. Just when I'm ready to throw in the towel when it comes to any form of media...I get a ray of hope that not all Christian values have been abandoned by the mainstream. At least ABC continues to let Linus tell us what Christmas is really all about...

I pray you find peace this season. The peace that can only be found through Jesus.

Weekly Advent Bible Reading Plan:

Monday, December 12, 2011: John 16:25-33
Tuesday, December 13, 2011: Romans 16:17-20
Wednesday, December 14, 2011: Galatians 5:16-23
Thursday, December 15, 2011: Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Friday, December 16, 2011: Luke 2:8-21

It Is Well With My Soul

I was thinking, what is Peace? Is it an absence of conflict?  Or maybe a settled feeling? Perhaps, a  knowing that it is going to be all right? I think thee are appropriate answers.

I  thought of the well loved hymn by Horatio Spafford.. "It Is Well With My Soul" Then I knew my what question is more aptly answered by who is Peace?

Horatio was a successful lawyer in Chicago. He was married and he and his wife Anna had 5 children. A son and 4 daughters.

Tragedy met this man in proportions, we can only imagine.

First was the death of his only son, who was a mere 4 years old.

The next was the Great Chicago Fire that ruined him financially.

As a result of the last tragedy, he planned to sail overseas to assist DL Moody with his Evangelistic Efforts.

Unexpectedly, business matters had to be attended to and so sent Anna and their 4 daughter ahead...he would join them later.

Unbelievably, the ship his family was on, was struck by another and sank. His wife survived but their 4 daughters drowned. He was notified of this by receiving a telegram from his wife saying ,"Saved alone"

He left to join her.As  the ship that he was on, was at the approximate place that their ship went down, the Captain notified Horatio of that fact.
Horatio went into his cabin. This is where he penned this great and heartfelt hymn.

The first verse is probably the most familiar, as well as the refrain. But,as I looked more closely at the remaing verses, I saw that Horatio spoke of where he found his sustaining peace, on the cross of Jesus Christ.  It was in the joy of his salvation. He remembered the sacrifice that our dear Savior wrought for him. He was humbled and amazed at the emptying of self, which the Lord presented on behalf of all mankind. Horatio himself was part of redemption.The cross and the suffering and pain are where true Peace is found.

 I can see that Peace is not as much a feeling or a state of mind, even though it can be that, but true Peace will never come apart from Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace. Peace is a person. The Cross will always be the plumbline of our faith.

Two Beatles songs come to mind. One is "Imagine" and “Give Peace a Chance" They are nice songs and inspire many people but Peace...true Peace ( Jesus) is absent from these lyrics..

Unless the world knows this, men will never taste the ultimate Peace...the true Peace.

Simply, the Cross is the plumbline of our faith.

A familiar quote says it well.

“Know Jesus...Know Peace"..."No Jesus...No Peace"

Peacemakers

Peace… Peace on Earth Good Will to Men.  We see it on Christmas cards.  We may sing about it over Christmas.  We joke that some young woman in a beauty pageant will say that they want peace on earth.  It seems so elusive.

When I was a kid they used to say it was worse now than the previous generations.  I am old enough to remember the tumultuous 60’s.  I remember as a kid sitting in front of a black and white TV hearing someone say – we interrupt this broadcast.  First it was JFK, then it was RFK – MLK, or a riot here or there.  It was a terrible time.  I think it marked my generation in ways we cannot really explain.

Now we have the wars in Afghanistan and the ending of our involvement in Iraq.  It won’t get better in Iraq.  It won’t get better in Afghanistan and even if it did, something else would replace.  The Occupy group has not resorted to violence, but they might?  Frustration often leads to violence. 

Regardless of where you stand on any of these issues, or what your experience has been, your politics, or even your religion, I think we all can agree that peace is just as far as it was on a Judean hillside.  Rome oppressed and occupied Judea.  People feared for the future.  Solomon was right, nothing new.  It’s always a variation of the same.  People oppress other people because of status, religion, gain, or just meanness. 

How do we reconcile the reality of our world past and present with angels saying Peace on Earth.  Like the disciples who thought Jesus would usher a new reality, we also look for a new reality.  We look for the Parousia – the return of our Lord as the solution, as the time when peace will come.

That’s true.  Advent is about looking for our Lord’s return.  It will be better then.  But there is another truth just as real as the coming of the Lord.  It is that the Kingdom has already come.  Peace has already come.  Those of us who name the name of Jesus are supposed to be peace-makers.

On another Judea hillside, Jesus said – Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).  I’m going to step on some toes.  Lift your feet.  Believers are called to peace, not to patriotic vitriol or talk of revenge.  We are called to turn the other cheeks, love our enemies and do good to others.  

I watched a movie for class.  If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it.  It is called Radio and stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. as an intellectually disabled young man called Radio.  It’s based on a true story.  Toward the end of the movie, the coach, the man who befriends Radio – he says, Radio treats us all the time like we wish we treated each other even part of the time.  It seems simpleminded to love others.  It seems otherworldly to love your enemies and do good to them.  It seems immature and intellectually childish to turn the other cheek.  But what if we did? 

What if we are supposed to be the agents of peace?  What if we are the ones who are called to lay down our hatred and love others?  Do you think as children of God, followers of the God who loves us so much He sent His son to be born in a manger and suffer the cruelest of death on a cross for US… do you think that we could be the ones who are supposed to bring peace?

Weekly Advent Bible Reading Plan:

Monday, December 12, 2011:  John 16:25-33
Tuesday, December 13, 2011:  Romans 16:17-20
Wednesday, December 14, 2011:  Galatians 5:16-23
Thursday, December 15, 2011:  Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Friday, December 16, 2011: Luke 2:8-21

Advent - Peace

Peace flows like a river and I love floating in it. After the satisfaction and frenzy of joy, peace envelopes like a glove on a crisp winter evening. It springs from the inside, like an aquifer. This peace is unlike what the outside world can offer; it surpasses our understanding which means it is beyond our ability to reason with it.

In John 16:25-33, Jesus explains to his disciples he is going to leave them; not only that Jesus tells us his friends they will abandon him and have tribulations. Then Jesus tells them not to worry but maintain peace. Yeah, right.

Until recent years, I didn’t know I could live in the peace river. I used to make day trips to the river, you know, spend the day on the river bed with the family, maybe a picnic and definitely a floatation device, but set up permanent camp? That’s not the real world, eventually responsibilities will call you away. Or at least I thought.

As I’ve made my hope secure, (or rather, once I learned my hope was secure because apart from Christ, I can’t do anything), I’ve laughed and rejoiced my way to the peace and rest of heaven. Nowadays, my peace isn’t like steel but it isn’t as easily shaken because I’ve been learning to focus on how big my God is, rather than how big the tribulation is and that brings me peace.

What does peace that surpasses understanding mean to you?

Weekly Advent Bible Reading Plan:

Monday, December 12, 2011:  John 16:25-33
Tuesday, December 13, 2011:  Romans 16:17-20
Wednesday, December 14, 2011:  Galatians 5:16-23
Thursday, December 15, 2011:  Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Friday, December 16, 2011: Luke 2:8-21

Welcome, welcome Christmas Day...

Wonderful Christmas memories are numerous for me. Maybe it's being right in the middle of the spirit of the season that prevents me from remembering a negative experience. Sure, I've been in a few places I would rather not have been during the holiday, but as far as a bad memory...I can't find one on my hard drive I call a brain.

 

I remember Christmas Day fell on Sunday back in 2005. That had been a particularly hard year for me and my family, but there was a feeling of turning a new leaf as the year end approached.

 

Like most families, mine has a very regimented schedule to adhere to starting with Christmas Eve each year to ensure we spread the holiday cheer evenly among our blended families. I recall one Christmas flying home from Hawaii for a few weeks. Upon returning to the island, I learned of angry family upset that I didn't come see them while I was home. I fly 8 hours home, but they can't drive 15 minutes to visit me at my parents house? Right...Merry Christmas to you too.

 

Anyway, our plans where slightly modified in 2005 to include a morning worship service at church. My heart was telling me that attending church was the right thing to do despite the hectic visitation schedule we were facing, but my head was focused on everything but worship early that Christmas morning. Until I actually got to church...

 

There was surprisingly a large crowd attending the service. I sat with my family because I didn't have to play the drums during praise music. We sang traditional Christmas carols that told of the coming of the Savior. Without being facetious, the best way to describe my heart that morning is akin to what the Grinch went through in the famous Dr. Seuss story. It was as if my heart filled and expanded out of my chest that morning with joy. The experience was absolutely unforgettable and a tremendous blessing. I wasn't there to receiving a blessing...I was there to worship and praise God for being God...but He blessed me that Christmas morning and once again reminded me it should always be about Him.

 

I remember walking out that day and telling my wife that I wish we had a church service every Christmas morning regardless of the day of the week. I still feel that way and so does she. Christians talk about the reason for the season and keeping Christ in Christmas...but how many church doors are closed and locked on the morning of Christmas? Too many.

 

Oh well, 2011 is another Sunday Christmas, and I look forward to being in God's house to focus on the greatest Joy ever given to mankind. I hope you will join me at your church for worship in one accord for that gift of Joy that was born to a virgin and forever changed our dark, fragile world.

Weekly Advent Bible Reading Plan:

Monday, December 5, 2011: John 16:16-24
Tuesday, December 6, 2011: Ezra 3:11-13
Wednesday, December 7, 2011: Psalm 126
Thursday, December 8, 2011: Hebrews 12:1-3
Friday, December 9, 2011: Philippians 4:1-9

JOY UNBELIEVABLE...JOY UNDENIABLE

I might mess up your Theology when you read this but I am “one of those” who received and experienced the laughter, that came along with the Toronto Blessing. It happened not once, but many times. As I write this, I wish I could have the same thing happen. But like other gifts given to me, I don’t regulate when they come, how they come and what is inside the package..

When I say that I received it…it is the truth. I felt like it was a gift, given to me by the Lord. I realize that there were those, who were in my company, who didn’t experience what I was feeling, sometimes judged me. I know there are many still that think this phenomenon was not of God. I don’t want to be rude or haughty but I say “oh well”. I tend to think many of us have had encounters with the Lord, that others would have a hard time believing.

So, you may be among the ones who look at me askance or you may be one who tells me that you wish you could laugh like that and ask questions of what it all felt like.

Like I said, I could not make it happen, by an act of my will. But I do know it was wonderful…it was healing…it was refreshing.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” Proverbs 17:22 KJV

I dare say that we have all experienced belly laughter seeing a very funny movie or laughing at the irony of a joke. Isn’t it the greatest thing when we can just forget about our worries and our pain for a time? Well that is how this laughter felt to me. One thing I can say is that just about everything seemed funny.

I’ve suffered from depression, much of my life. When the laughter came, it was like a bubbling of aliveness, from deep within.,It rose up and filled my heart and my mind and my body and my soul with gladness. Gladness to be alive…gladness to just be who I am…and most of all gladness to belong to Jesus…to be loved by Him…to be accepted by my Abba (my Father God). Everything about me and around me seemed effortless. Striving was absent and in its place was a sense of everything was going to be allright.

So, it hasn’t been a sustained experience because “life happens”. Nevertheless, it was real and left an indelible mark on my soul. Surprisingly through it, I learned too, that the Lord has the best sense of humor. I didn’t always know that and sometimes I still forget that but the Word tells us that He laughs at the plans of our enemies.

“Passion laughs at the terrors of hell”…Song of Songs 8:6 The Message

So dear readers, I sincerely wish you joy. It may not come in the package that it came for me. But I ask the Lord that it would be as undeniable, as it was for me. I pray it will fill you and heal you and refresh you too. The simple fact remains, that Jesus came is enough to fill us with great joy.  It is sometimes unexplainable to others…but for us, we know it is reality. We just know.

Jesus…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross Hebrews 12:2 b KJV

Think of it…we are that JOY!

 

 

Weekly Advent Bible Reading Plan:

Monday, December 5, 2011: John 16:16-24
Tuesday, December 6, 2011: Ezra 3:11-13
Wednesday, December 7, 2011: Psalm 126
Thursday, December 8, 2011: Hebrews 12:1-3
Friday, December 9, 2011: Philippians 4:1-9

Joy Has Come

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music.  I love Christmas music. As you shop, the brightness of Christmas music can calm your frazzled nerves, give you that last push to finish, or just make you smile.  I love to bake for Christmas with Christmas music in the background.

I have many favorite Christmas songs.  One of my favorite Christmas present as a child was a record player – yes, a record play – I am that old.  With it I received a variety of 45’s to spin.  I listened to Frosty the Snowman, probably to the frustration of my parents, over and over and over and over again.   It’s hard to rank Christmas songs, but I do have a ranking.  On one side of one of those 45’s was the song Good King Wenceslas.  I wore that out too.  While you rarely hear it, and almost no one knows it, it is still my number one favorite in English.  You can sing along here.

My number one favorite all time forever Christmas Carol is a Norwegian one.  I hear it and I melt.  I think of snow and Brooklyn.  I think of Jul Tree Fests.  On a cold evening in January, holding my dad's hand, I would dress in festive clothing and crunch through the snow to a church.   I remember most the Salvation Army – in a great room with a huge decorated Christmas tree we’d take our little songbooks with the Norwegian flag and sing as we circled the tree holding hands. 

A few years ago, someone gave me a copy of a Norwegian Christmas recording.  It was Sissel’s Glade Jul.  On the recording was Jeg Er Så Glad Hver Julekveld.  My brain had forgotten this most beautiful of Christmas hymns.  My heart had not.   I cried when I heard it again.  Now I make sure I play it often during the Christmas season. You can listen to Sissel sing it here.  The lyrics in English are here (scroll down).

When asked, what’s your favorite Christmas Carol, as does happen this time of the year, I never answer with either of the above favorites.  While they are my top choices, most people find them obscure and just glaze over at my answer.  I have another favorite.  It’s number three on my list and most appropriate for this week.  It’s JOY TOTHE WORLD!  Even mentioning it’s title makes my heart want to burst into song – I love the triumphant announcement of this Carol.

It was written by Sir Isaac Watts and is based on Psalm 98.  Interestingly, and actually quite appropriate for the Advent season (that time of waiting and reflection on the return of our Lord) this song is about the triumphal return of Christ to this earth.  It’s a celebration song of the coming return of our King.

Joy – Joy to the World – the Lord IS come…

With joy we can declare the mystery of our faith –

Christ has died

Christ has risen,

Christ will come again. 

What a reason for Joy!  What reason to lift our voices and announce, Joy has come.

Weekly Advent Bible Reading Plan:

Monday, December 5, 2011:  John 16:16-24
Tuesday, December 6, 2011:  Ezra 3:11-13
Wednesday, December 7, 2011:  Psalm 126
Thursday, December 8, 2011:  Hebrews 12:1-3
Friday, December 9, 2011: Philippians 4:1-9

Advent - Joy

Whenever I hear the word joy, I always (and I mean, always) think of the children’s Sunday School song, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart...,” and I secretly sing the song in my head. I can’t help but feel happy with my secret song and I challenge anyone to listen to the song and not experience at least a little tiny bit of joy.

I love joy and I’m a carrier of joy because I believe it is a high commodity in heaven. Jesus died for joy – Hebrews 12:2, For the joy set before him he endured the cross...”

Last week, hope was our advent theme. When we have hope, it’s easy to move into joy. Jesus left us his joy so our joy would be complete. Isn’t that amazing? Without Jesus, our joy and happiness is incomplete. Jesus wants us to have full and complete joy. That makes me happy.

This week, think about the things that bring you joy and thank the Lord for them.

I dare you not to feel joy when you listen to this.

Weekly Advent Bible Reading Plan:

Monday, December 5, 2011:  John 16:16-24
Tuesday, December 6, 2011:  Ezra 3:11-13
Wednesday, December 7, 2011:  Psalm 126
Thursday, December 8, 2011:  Hebrews 12:1-3
Friday, December 9, 2011: Philippians 4:1-9

The Kingdom of God is at hand...

 Like Joyce, I worship at a church that doesn't follow the liturgical calendar, but I truly appreciate the focus of Advent.

Probably because I despise what Christmas has become...even for Christians.

To avoid making a hypocritical statement for those who know me, it is very true that I love and get into the Christmas season. But the struggle to overcome the hyper-commercial nature surrounding the celebration of the greatest gift ever given in all of human history is at times...exhausting.

I don't think we do any favors to our faith by stonewalling the season as a demonstration we (as Christians) are not 'of the world.' We live in the world. We are commissioned to evangelize to the world. We are commanded to love other and not judge. The Bible is very clear on all these matters. While I absolutely agree that Christians can't act in some of the same manners as the lost around us, I also clearly see the example of Jesus who immersed Himself in some of the most vile of places to be the Light that we are instructed to be. Wait...that's salt and light according to Matthew 5:13-16.

So how do we do it? How do Christians avoid losing the message of hope, love and joy that come into full blossom during the Christmas season to the forces of greed and selfishness that seem imposed?

Focus to me is the key. Focus honed by diligent prayer. The vast majority of at least this country find the unique condition of having a  somewhat softened hearts this time of year (of course, there are exceptions that wield pepper spray while shopping). What better time to plant the seed of the Good News?

The hoopla of the Christmas season is as a direct result of the capitalist society we live, work and play in daily.  The two go hand in hand. Is capitalism a perfect economic system? Absolutely not, but the alternatives are far less appealing and often come with a number of governing restrictions that diminish or destroy personal freedoms (i.e. worship)...and that is not okay by me.

So as the celebration of Christ's birth approaches, I vow to concentrate and focus on what that means to me as a Christian. That will include prayer time asking for guidance from my Father for His will to be done in my words and actions. Starting in my own home, I will be an example for my wife and children each and every day. Through it all...I will focus the honor and glory on the One who is the sole source of my true joy and hope...forever and ever. Amen.

Outrageous Hope

Outrageous Hope!...I just heard that expression...I like it.Then I sometimes wonder...is it faith or is it hope?
I got a lot of information, this morning, to answer that question. I think going into any depth would take away from our intentions of talking about Hope in the Advent season.
So I will leave that for another time and talk about this Outrageous Hope.
I would like to share one short thing that did happen to me, having to do with my expressing hope.
I was a fairly new Christian and I was talking to another believer and I said " Well, I hope...." I didn't even get to finish my thought and the person jumped on me and said " NO!...you should not hope....you should have faith!!!
Yikes!...they pretty much overwhelmed me.
 I later learned that they were part of the Faith Movement and pretty adamant about their Theology. I have since learned that yes..."they" have some of the truth of God, but they certainly do not have all of the truth.
I can hope as well as I can have faith.
Hope=Anticipation...Expectation...Desire for something to happen
The waiting of Advent, makes me think of all the Jewish people who are still waiting for the Messiah. The signs are there that He has already arrived but so many are blinded from the truth. They literally are...without Hope.
In the Word, we are commanded to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and understandably it seems to indicate a land...a country. But, if we think about it...there will be no lasting Peace in Israel or anywhere else in the world, for it's citizens, unless they come to know the Prince of Peace.
In the "homeland of their hearts" they need to know Him.
My little grandson, who is 3 said yesterday, " Granny, did you know Christmas is Jesus' Birthday?"I am excited, that in his tender heart, there is already a place to know that Christmas is so much more than decorations and gifts and trees. Of course he doesn't fully understand everything. He still wants all the presents and such... but I have purposed to make a cake and have a little celebration for the Birthday Jesus.
He will eventually learn the Advent story and the concept of waiting.
I learned in the Catholic Church, I attended as a child...we have to wait till Christmas until the babe will be placed in the Manger. I know for me, when Jesus was there in the creche in church...it felt to me like...everything was complete now. And that still is true today. The joy and contentment that I have, remembering His birth, will carry me again, another year.
So...what are YOU waiting for?

Monday, November 28, 2011: Colossians 1:3-27

Tuesday, November 29, 2011: Psalms 130

Wednesday, November 30, 2011: Lamentations 3:21-33

Thursday, December 1, 2011: Ephesians 1:3-15

Friday, December 2, 2011: Hebrews 7:11-28