Yesterday I watched a stewardess aboard my flight melt when I said the words “Merry Christmas” to her as I exited the plane. You know how they stand there as you leave – giving the obligatory “have a nice day”’ and “thanks for flying with us”. Well this woman gave me a “Have a great holiday!”. And for me, it was a missing letter that caused me to speak. Normally I would have nodded and continued on my way, but because she was very specific in her greeting, I had to be very specific in my reply. If she would have said “holidays”, I would have known she was referring to both Christmas and New Years lumped together. Cuz that’s what they are, really, holidays. One holiday plus one holiday = holidays. But she stated the word “holiday” very assuredly referring to Christmas, as it is on our very near horizon. So I replied, maybe a little confidently, with “Merry Christmas”, and her whole standard and stiff demeaner instantly disappeared. I saw relief. It crept out on her face and filled her whole body. Her posture changed. A genuine smile appeared, replacing the fake plastered smile. Her eyes became expressive as they focused on me. Not only was she relieved, but she was happy! Reason being? Why was she so happy? The answer came in her response. She was happy because I had given her the opportunity and the permission to say was she wasn’t allowed to say. She eagerly responded with a a very excited “Merry Christmas” of her own.

I’ve been hearing about this whole politically correct controversy for a few weeks now. Holiday is the word that’s replacing Christmas. Happy Holiday. Holiday Tree. The Holiday. In the pursuit of PC, the renaming of the celebration of Christ’s birth is making it possible to never think about Him throughout the ‘Holiday”. My reason for posting this isn’t to give my input or suggestions – I want to hear yours. So please…comment. What do you think of the redefining of terms?

I came across this quote from Donald Miller:

“I can’t imagine what would happen if every Christian felt it incumbent upon themselves to worship Christ through serving the poor and oppressed, and reaching out to the marginalized. More and more this has become religion to me. Not that reading the Psalms under a flickering candle isn’t beautiful, but faith should find action quick.”

So what would happen if Christians stopped talking and started acting? What if we took the words of Jesus literally? What if we truly believed (faith & action) the following statements of Jesus:

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

“The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

“…I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”

What would these things look like in every day life? How can the church participate in this as well?

Comments???

An email I received this morning concerning Ang…

Hi Guys,
I just talked to Angela and she is praising the Lord.

She is feeling much better and went home around 11:00 today.

She slept great last night and is starting to keep food down.

All this to say that this last bout with all the ickyness was probably
side effects from one of the antibiotics used to treat her infection.

She has been off of it for 48 hours now and she feels much better.

She asked for prayer because, since the last antibiotic caused side
effects for her, the doctor is starting a different antibiotic starting
tonight at home. Pray for no side effects.

I want you all to know how much you guys mean to Angela and that you
are praying for her and Cliff. When she called she was crying because
she loves you all so much and are thankful for each one of you.

She said she would love to talk to you and see you all whenever, so
feel free to give her a call or visit her at the house she has alot of
praising God she would love to share.

Thanks to all

Hey all,

Angela Johnson – wife of Cliff Johnson who is a member of the Board of Directors for Consumed – has been having some health problems as of recently. Over the past week or so she has been admitted to the hospital, released after a few days, and then admitted again yesterday. She has an infection in her body that’s causing problems in her kidney that was transplanted. They have put her back on IV antibiotics because her white blood cell count has creeped up. The plan right now is to have an ultra sound of her kidney and a possible spinal tape to rule out some things on the doctors list.

If you would, please join us in prayer for this situation…

Pray for knowledge for the doctors

Pray for Angela to get a good nights rest and that she could keep some food down.

Pray for the frustration and helplessness Cliff is feeling.

Thank you.

I’m reading in Deuteronomy this morning. Not the typical place you think you are going to find nuggets of truth to boost your spiritual journey. But I came across this:

“Know this: God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon.”

Three obvious revelations from the Holy Spirit today that are continuing to work me over. Not the most insightful stuff in the world, but if you are like me, I need these basic reminders.

1. God is my God. He is not just the God of Moses, Joshua, David, Job, Paul, Peter, etc. He is my God. I walk with Him the same way these great men of faith did. He is my God not because of anything I have done, but because I’m covered with the precious blood of Jesus. I know God. He is mine!

2. He is God indeed. There are a lot of “so-called” gods out there. Trying to get the job done. People are lighting candles, kneeling five times a day, carving images, etc. trying to awaken their gods. Trying to motivate them to action. Just hoping they will get a taste of their god’s power. There is only one true God and I am His child.

3. I can depend on Him! Can’t depend on many things in life. I found out I can’t depend on the tires of a 2002 Toyota Corolla on Sunday morning as Gretchen, my girls, our friend Ang, and I flew off the road going 65-70 mph 20 feet into a ditch because of black ice. Another friend of mine is in the hospital with an infection. She has been there for five days now. The doctors are trying to figure out her medicine, trying to get her to rest, etc. I’m learing we can’t depend at times on all of the technology living in 2005 brings. Heck! I know I can’t depend on myself. Many times I’m striving like crazy to solve this dilema, fix this problem, etc. It never turns out profitable when I try to do things without the power of God. But I can depend on God. I can rest in Him. I can lay my burdens at His feet and rest. Truly rest.

So, there is my mini-sermon. Hopefully helps a few of you. It helped me.