Making A Difference

As the Christmas season gets into full swing, everyone jumps on the bandwagon.  Retailers, civic groups, politicians, educational institutions, promoters of the arts, dance troupes, athletes and teams, Metra, the CTA, and every one and thing in between.  Every one wants to walk in the wake of Jesus’ birthday. 

         

And as predictable as commercials, new Christmas albums and sweets appearing regularly in the coffee room, are Christians bemoaning the fact that the “reason for the season” has been lost, or at least buried, under all the other reasons for promoting the season.  My Facebook page has been peppered with messages that remind me to “Keep Christ in Christmas” and to say “Merry Christmas” and not “Happy Holidays”.  It only takes a few before I start to either ignore the warnings, or resent them!

All the handwringing, shouting and cajoling will not change retailers, or commercial interests.  In fact, too often it reinforces the culture’s opinion that Christ-followers are a bunch of angry, critical, scowling, buzz kill, whiners.   

If we want to make a difference and keep the focus on the true meaning of Christmas, perhaps we should follow Jesus’ example.  Jesus spent very little time being critical and when He was it was usually with those who were representing God’s interests.

Jesus’ way of making a difference was one individual at a time.  He healed those who were blind or crippled and, in turn, those people told everyone they met about the transformation that had come about because of their encounter with Jesus.  He met the Samaritan woman at the well, and she, in turn, went to tell her village about her encounter with him. 

 As for me and my household, we will keep Christ in Christmas.  We will wish people a “Merry Christmas”, rather than “Happy Holidays”.  (When someone wishes me a “Happy Holiday”, I usually respond with “Merry Christmas” and a smile, not a scowl.)  We will remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.  We will extend the peace, joy and love of Christ to everyone we meet.

I can’t change the cultural trends by myself, or by writing something, or by insisting others view the season differently.  All I can do is my part as an individual to represent Christ during this Holy season and let the Holy Spirit do the rest!

God's Blessing

On Thanksgiving we sat at tables piled with food and shared stories with our families and our friends.  Part of our conversation may have included recounting the blessings God has given us.  After all isn’t that the foundation of Thanksgiving?  

Over the subsequent days I was wrestling with the idea of God’s blessings.  I receive emails, letters, read articles and Facebook posts about God’s blessings.  They usually have a context of an illness being healed, a treatment being successful, a job being found, a marriage being restored, a child being successful, something positive that has taken place in life. 

 

Certainly those are signs of God’s activities and blessings.  But what do we say or think when the treatment is unsuccessful, or the surgery fails, or the marriage falls apart, or we remain unemployed, or our kids don’t make the team? 

The Old Testament character, Job, experienced the best of life and significant times of pain, sorrow and loss.  He wrote:

            Naked I came from my mother's womb,

            and naked I will depart.

            The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

            may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1:21)

Whether we experience goodness in life or difficulty, God’s name deserves to be honored and praised.  The above verses were the inspiration for contemporary Christian songwriter Matt Redman and his wife, Beth, to pen the song, “Blessed be Your Name”.  The verses express this sentiment:

            BLESSED BE YOUR NAME

            In the land that is plentiful,

            Where Your streams of abundance flow,

            Blessed be Your name.

            And blessed be Your name

            When I'm found in the desert place,

            Though I walk through the wilderness,

            Blessed be Your name.

           

            Blessed be Your name

            When the sun's shining down on me,

            When the world's 'all as it should be',

            Blessed be Your name.

            And blessed be Your name

            On the road marked with suffering,

            Though there's pain in the offering,

            Blessed be Your name.

My clergy colleague, Bob Brouwer, from Faith Reformed Church in Dyer, Indiana, lost his brother-in-law at a young age this week.  Bob posted this quote from commentator Michael Wilcock which captures a unique and difficult perspective.

"We may be lost, trapped, diseased, or overwhelmed. It may be our own fault or it may not. The Lord may seem to us kind or cruel. Good things happen and bad things happen. But ultimately God is good." Michael Wilcock, Commentary on Psalm 107

That’s a tough truth for me to embrace in the midst of difficulty, but it is the truth!

           

Blessed be the Lord!     ~ Rev

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year because it has maintained its dignity and purpose. A time set aside to give thanks for God’s many blessings to us has its origin in the agricultural culture of Old Testament where God’s people were encouraged to have a celebration after the harvest to give God thanks for His provision.

Those of us who believe in God and His overwhelming grace continue that tradition. Whether in worship services, or around our own family tables or both, we will acknowledge that all we have and all we are is a gift from God.

So, spend some time thinking about God’s gifts to you and expressing your gratitude. Following is my list of things for which I am thankful, which is not exhaustive, but for some reason are in my heart and mind today.

Family: Becky and I both have our mothers alive at age 85+. They both have some challenges, but they are both relatively healthy compared to their peer group. We will gather with a portion of Becky’s family at her mom’s house on Thanksgiving. My mom will celebrate with my niece and other extended family in Michigan. We don’t anticipate any family drama or tension, which apparently is unusual!

Christian Community: We are surrounded by a wonderful community of people on a journey with us to be God’s presence in this world. I have been able to reconnect with some long-time Christian brothers. We get together to laugh, solve the world’s problems and share life regularly. They are a blessing in my life. We are part of a congregation that has welcomed us and enveloped us with the love of Christ.

Colleagues: I am grateful that I work with some very talented and deeply committed people who bless my life regularly with their gifts and talents. I learn something from them every day as they share insights, challenge my perceptions, and cheer each other on in the work we do.

Prosperity: We live in the land of plenty. When we step back and reflect on our place in the world, we have been blessed beyond comparison. Our nation is not perfect. However, I thank God for this place where I live, for the freedoms I am afforded, for stores with an abundance of food, for transportation systems that enable travel, for recreational opportunities that abound and for technology that enhances life.

Choices: I am grateful that I get to make choices. There is a lot of whining about stores opening on Thanksgiving for shopping. People believe it interrupts family time and rest. My perspective is: “just because a store is open, doesn’t mean I have to go!” I get to make a choice as to how I will spend my holiday. My choice will be worship, family, food and football! Other people can make other choices and God bless them as they do!

On this holiday weekend, remember the author of all we have and all we are and give Him His props!

God bless!

It Could Happen to Anyone

My first response was one of indignation. More immoral behavior by people in the public sphere. It was another sign of decay in our cultural mores.

As more information leaked, I felt like I was watching a Junior High romantic triangle unfold before my eyes. Although it was more complicated than things are in Junior High. Paula Broadwell, a married, 40 year old West Point graduate with an advanced degree from Harvard and who is working on a PhD from King’s College in London, England, had an extra marital affair with General David Petraeus, Director of the CIA. She suspected that Jill Kelley, a socialite from Tampa, Florida, was doing the same and Broadwell had written numerous emails accusing Kelley of being inappropriate with General Petraeus. I am not sure exactly what the content of the emails may have been. Maybe something like, “Keep away from my man. I was having an affair with him first!” Reports of the content of the emails was “cat fight kind of stuff.”

Seriously? Grown, mature women in a Junior High like cat-fight over a married man?

If it wasn’t so sad, it would be laughable.

Much of the reporting has been over the concern whether or not the security of the United States had been compromised.

After a while, I began to reflect differently. A 60 year old highly educated, highly decorated and highly respected career military leader had an inappropriate relationship with a 40 year old highly educated, high achieving, respected woman, who in turn wrote threatening emails to another woman. How does this happen?

Television programs began trotting out psychologists and counselors all offering their theories of what leads to this kind of thing. Power, invincibility, ego needs, and thrill seeking are all offered as reasons. I listened with interest.

Then I began to personalize the whole situation. Am I sure I would never do anything like this? I bet David Petraeus thought that was the case before it happened to him. Intelligence, education, achievement and high moral standards are not assurances against lapses in judgment and immorality. The bible is full of people who engaged in similar behavior. David is the most obvious example. His personal byline in scripture is that he had a “heart for God.” He still failed morally.

We all need to be aware that we are vulnerable to this kind of behavior and should never be naive enough to believe “this could never happen to me.”

Once I got over my “moral outrage” and my cynicism about “Junior High” behavior by mature, educated and successful people, I had to look in the mirror and say, “God help me. Protect me, O Lord, from walking down that path, and deliver me from the illusion that I might be immune.”

It could happen to anyone, including us!

Embarrassment

They were in the church lobby when I arrived at 7:45 a.m. to prepare for our 8:55 service. They had been picked up about 7:00 a.m. to make the trip to our church. As I walked in they greeted me with warm smiles and great enthusiasm. Apparently they were all morning people. They were excited about being here.
   
They were going to assist in leading in our worship service. They would be helping to lead singing, and in prayer. They would participate in both of our morning services which means they would be with us until 12:15 p.m. None of them complained about the amount of time, about how they would participate, about sitting through two complete services, or about the hour gap between services. They were models of “unbridled joy.”

As they appeared on the platform there was nothing conformist about their attire. It ranged from suits and ties to jeans and a tee shirt for men. From dresses to jeans and a tee shirt for women. They were not professional singers. As a matter of fact they had a hard time keeping the rhythm of the songs and many sang off key. But they all sang with enthusiasm and loudly. They were “making a joyful noise”, and that’s all they seemed to care about.
   
When they returned to their seats in the midst of our congregants for the rest of the service they paid rapt attention. They applauded with enthusiasm during certain elements. When my colleague, Gregg, delivered the message they listened to every word, shouted “Amen” appropriately, and answered questions he posed to them as he spoke. They were fully engaged and locked in during both services. Gregg was inspired and encouraged by their interaction.
   
Their enthusiasm and participation were contagious. They inspired our congregation. At the close of the service they led a song where we were encouraged to hold hands with people and lift them to the heavens at a certain point. No one balked at participating.
   
Our guest leaders that day in worship were from Elim Christian Services. They were adults with a variety of special needs, some severe and profound. They love God and they love to worship. They were not concerned with what anyone else thought about how they dressed, or how they sang, or what they said during the service. The whole experience was delightful and instructive.
   
Too often I, and others, worry too much about what others will think of me, even in worship. What will they think if I raise my hands during a song, or shout amen, or applaud enthusiastically for God? Periodically over the years I have had the opportunity to sit with my family during a worship service and my kids were always a little embarrassed by my loud singing and participation. I let their embarrassment dampen my enthusiasm.
   
I have had people say to me, “I wanted to shout ‘Amen,’ when you made this point in your message, but I didn’t because I was afraid of what others might think.”
   
The Psalms encourage us to “shout to the Lord,” “clap our hands,” and to “lift our hands.”

     “Praise him with the sounding trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” (Psalm 150:3-5)

I am embarrassed by my embarrassment. I learned a lot from my friends at Elim Christian Services. But the most important thing I was reminded of was to care less about what other people think and worship with “unbridled joy.”

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Current Events

This week two current events weigh on my heart and on my mind.

THE HURRICANE

All of us have been stunned by the pictures and video that have been published of the damage from Hurricane Sandy. The satellite images helped me to understand the widespread nature of the storm. We felt some minor effects in Chicago.
   
The images of entire towns wiped out, fires burning, waist high water in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, water cascading down the stairs that lead to subways and trains, terminals flooded, and airport runways completely covered with water, were astounding.    
Water damage is horrible. We had two water damage issues in our house in Traverse City. Getting rid of the water and dampness, assessing the extent of the damage and concern about future mold weighed on our mind. But our water issues were trivial. As I looked at the pictures of the damage out east I wondered, “Where do you start?”
   
In moments like these we are reminded that we are part of a nation of people. We are connected to others. When one suffers, we all suffer. Relief efforts began immediately. People who work on infrastructure in Illinois have gone east, the Red Cross was on site promptly, and other organizations began to take action. However, there is a sense in which we feel helpless individually to be able to offer any assistance.
   
Our denomination, the Christian Reformed Church of North American, is combining efforts with the Reformed Church World Service and assisting in relief efforts. Our Deacons have initiated a special offering for these efforts which will be collected over the next week. It doesn’t seem like much, but it is something, combined with prayer that can make a difference.
   
As Christ followers we want to respond to those who are in need.
   
THE ELECTION

On Tuesday, November 6, we will have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. I would encourage everyone to participate. In years in which there is a presidential election, just over 50% of the voting age population participates in the election. That is disturbing, but it is also an indicator of what happens in a democratic society where we take elections for granted. It has been a part of our nation for so long we become apathetic.
   
The most common comment that I hear about this year’s election is, “I can’t wait until it’s over.” People are tired of political ads, candidate accusations, and mud-slinging.
   
But we get to vote. It is an honor, a privilege and a responsibility.
   
As Christ followers we have a responsibility to be informed, to vote for candidates who will best serve our nation and God’s broad vision for life, and to participate.
   
Celebrate the end of campaign season by voting.

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Hero

I was a hero this week!

Well, at least that is what she said.

It poured rain for about 15 minutes and a section of our street was flooded with water moving up people’s driveways near their garage doors. I arrived at home at the same time the mother of my neighbor was arriving for a visit. She parked in the parking spot across the street and several doors down from her daughter’s townhouse because the flooding was deepest in front of her daughter’s home and up to her garage door.

Making casual conversation, I made some genius comment like, “Wow, it looks like we’re flooded.”

The woman said, “My daughter already called the city about it.”

“I think I know what’s wrong. I think I can fix it,” I said.

“You’ll be her hero,” she replied.

I went inside, put on some shorts and some sandals, grabbed a rake and waded into the water toward the street. I arrived at my destination and began moving the leaves away from the drain with my rake. Instantaneously the water rushed into the drain from both sides. Within minutes the street was free of water and all the driveways were clear as well. And, apparently, I was a hero!. Had I known it was so easy, I would have done this earlier in my life!

God’s heroes are a strange lot.

There is Rahab, the prostitute, who struck a deal with Israelite spies and hid them after they promised to spare her family when the Israelites took over Jericho.

There is the spoiled brat of a little brother, Joseph, who was sold into slavery, imprisoned on trumped up sexual assault charges, and eventually served as the Head of State in Egypt. He saved his brothers and the future nation of Israel from starvation by providing food and protection for them.

The prophetess and judge, Deborah, led Israel to triumph over enemies that threatened their extinction.

In the New Testament, the book of Acts is filled with heroes who stood valiantly for their faith in the midst of persecution and some lost their lives.

These are heroes. People who are so convinced of God’s love and purpose for life that they are willing to give up anything for God’s cause.

I am often too self-centered to give up my time, or an event I want to be a part of, or an opportunity that I have longed for, or an evening home, to represent God somewhere or with someone. Inconvenience and sacrifice are the paths to being a hero for God. Paths I don’t always want to travel.

If only being a hero for God was as easy as raking leaves away from a drain!

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