The Best Christmas Present

Lyn and I follow a daily devotional plan that takes us through the whole Bible every year. This morning took us to 2 Peter. What marvelous riches for meditation! “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (1:3). What a great verse to begin the Christmas season with. I already have everything I need for the things that matter most.

First, Everything I need for life. All the advertisements try to stir in me a feeling that I don’t have quite enough for real living. I could be happier if I just had their product. The devil constantly whispers in our ears that we need a little more of this or that – money, or food, or sex, or time, or the latest game, or relationship, or even time with our grandkids. All of them may be good things, invented by God for our good, but none of them contain life. Once we come to the realization that Christ alone is our life, then we realize that we already have more than enough! Life does not come through our knowledge about Christ, but in knowing Him. The better I know Him, the more I appreciate and enjoy the life He gives; but the newest convert has full access to the same life.

Second, everything I need for godliness. When Christ becomes our life, then godliness becomes our highest goal. He has already provided for that! Godliness is not reserved for monks locked in a monastery, or missionaries, or pastors studying the Bible all day. I want to be more and more like Christ. I realize that there’s a long road ahead of me in this quest, but I can also look back and see He’s brought me a mighty long way already. While there are hindrances along the way, there are no roadblocks. Of course it will be a challenge. How else could we call it faith? But Christ marks the pathway, Christ gives us strength, Christ gives us the tools (the Bible, a church family, Christian music, good books…), Christ gives us the discipline (goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, love), and Christ picks us up when we fall and puts our feet back on the path.

Why? “So that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires” (1:4). Me? Lowly, feeble all-to-human me, participate in Christ’s divine nature? Think of it! Sure, who hasn’t daydreamed of having divine power, to be able to “fix” various situations; but divine nature… having His character, His desires, His purity, His peace and equanimity, His ability to love, His insight and grasp of truth… along with the power to always do right.

And escape corruption. No more Second Law of Thermodynamics for us. Everywhere in this world we see decay. Breakdowns, rust, termites, mold, and rot are everywhere. By the time we reach adulthood our health has already peaked, and our bodies have started to wear out. It’s only a matter of time. Christ is the only escape. God’s eternal hope is for us to have eternity with Him. That is why in the beginning of time He planted the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. Had it not been for evil desires leading to rebellion, Adam and Eve would be there today, still eating from that tree.

Talk about the best Christmas present ever! His divine power has already given me everything I need for life and godliness, through my knowledge of Him who called me by His own glory and goodness. Thank You Jesus!

All I Want for Christmas is a New Cell Phone

I overheard some children talking about what they wanted for Christmas this year, and was surprised to hear a cell phone make the top of the list! What was unthinkable a decade ago is becoming normal. Talk to any school principal in town and you’ll hear that cell phones are all over.

Did you know that there are nearly 275 million cell phones in use in the United States? That’s nearly 90% of our population! Cell phones are the technological marvel of our time, covering the earth more rapidly than anything ever known. Actually, the US is 3^rd in cell use; India has 441 million, and China a whopping 695 million! 3.5 billion worldwide. There are more text messages sent daily than there are people on earth.

Not that I am complaining. They are a great way to stay connected. As Meg travels to visit churches across the country this year, we can call her and she can call us from anywhere. They are wonderful if you run out of gas or have a travel emergency. They are even quite handy in the grocery store, for a reminder of what exactly am I supposed to get? Yet they can also get in the way of communication, as people ignore the folks right in front of them to talk on the phone.

Isn’t it funny to watch an old spy movie, and see their “secret communication devices”? You couldn’t carry them, because the battery pack was the size of a shoe box. I remember when they first came out. Cell phones were just for rich people. Ordinary folks like me would never need one. Until my neighbor got one… who would’ve imagined how prevalent they have become?

A new cell phone for Christmas. Back in the day before there was any electronic communication, Jesus Christ entered this world as a tiny baby. He was the very Word of God, but he came to connect with us face to face. Some things just don’t work over the phone. He took on flesh and grew up like one of us, so that we can know he understands what we are going through. He laughed and cried like we do.

God wants to connect with us. He took the initiative, and showed up at our door, in a form that wouldn’t terrify us. That’s the wonder of Christmas.

If you want to experience the true meaning of the holiday, make sure you are “picking up the phone,” and connecting with God. “Dial in” to His number. Look for Him in all the music, the decorations, the celebrations and the gifts. Come and worship Him as often as possible.

Want to increase your fullness? Connect with others. Invite a child to church and Sunday School. Bring their whole family along. God so loved the world that He sent His Son! Read the story to a child. Send a card that proclaims Christ, and don’t forget our shut-ins. Hang Christian symbols on your tree as ornaments. Make prayer more prominent in family gatherings. Invite friends and family to church. Invite them again! Schedule family gatherings to include church. If you are the guest, mention that you would like to go to church with them. Adopt a needy family. Bake Christmas treats for someone whose family is far away.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Steve

The Big Event

Saturday is the big day, and I’m going to miss it!

Our church is busy preparing for our annual chicken & noodle dinner & bazaar. Always a fun and busy time! Hundreds of people stop by to eat, visit, and laugh with us. As with any project like this, it takes lots and lots of help. We’ve met monthly to make the noodles (over 100 dozen eggs worth!); others have been baking and making crafts for sale. But the biggest work is this weekend, of course; setting up, pricing, cooking, serving, selling tickets, cutting pies, making coffee… and cleaning up.

Even though I am a “hands-on” kind of guy, I have never helped with the serving. My role has always been to visit with people as they come in, hob-nob with folks we see once a year. In a sense, I am the face of Whetstone to our visitors. Our church folks don’t mind (as long as I help with the clean up), and I think it is fun. I love the whole event, including the “victory dinner” after church the next day with the left-overs.

So why am I going to miss it? I’ll be 2 hours north speaking at a youth retreat. Janet Fleck asked me months ago to join her at “FaithQuest”. Since she came to church camp with me, I thought it was only fair. Of all the weekends in the fall, it happened to hit Whetstone Bazaar.

Why didn’t I graciously back out? Several reasons. One, we have a terrific Youth Minister who can step up in my absence. Dan is more than able to be the “face of Whetstone” – he’s even tall, making him stand out in the crowd. Two, I know the event will run like a well-oiled machine, just like always. But more importantly, after praying about it this seemed the right thing to do.

This is a prayer that started last Fall. I was praying that God would give me the chance to go back to India soon. Then I began to wonder, why am I praying this? And the answer came, because I have seen God work so powerfully there. Last time I was there, the Colts played in the Superbowl and I missed the game - but I didn't miss it at all, because it seemed that a much larger contest was being played out right before my eyes, and God was winning a spiritual victory! Sure, God is at work everywhere all the time; but there are times and places where it seems so much more evident. So I changed my prayer. Instead of praying to go to India, I began praying that God would put me in those times and places. When Janet called back in March, a light went on that this would be one of them.

So, I will sadly but gladly miss the Chicken-Noodle dinner this year. It is possible for our heart to be in two places at the same time. Meanwhile, I eagerly anticipate seeing the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of these youth. I would still like to go back to India, but more than anything I want to be involved with what God is doing. What an honor and privilege that He allows us to take part.