The Christmas Story of Eternal Youth

What gift can you give to parents that have everything they want?  Time with family is the correct answer to the question.  They would love to spend the Christmas Holidays with their children and grandchildren.  I would love to spend the Christmas Holidays with all our children, spouses and grandchildren.  Also the rest of my family, my sister and her family, my brother and his family.  We always have such a joyous time.  My wife and I haven't had the chance yet to spend a joyous Christmas with our son and daughter-in-law and his beautiful family.  My family has been blessed in having spent so many Christmas's around the world growing up.  One joyous Christmas we were all in Texas a few years ago...

The entire family was enjoying each others company and the festive good times were full of laughter and story telling.  My mother and father were sitting on the couch and other family members were all sitting or lounging around the spacious living room sipping on beverages and eating the wonderful snack food.

The conversation came around to automobiles.  This subject is one that our dad is an expert and my brother is a close second.  We all were talking about the best vehicles we've ever owned.  Then it happened. Dad started talking about the Mercedes he didn't buy back in the sixty's, and the Rambler Station wagon that he bought new.  This automobile reminded me of the Groswald's National Vacation ride.  It became our tour boat a la resistance.  We took that car across the country at least two times on round trips. Oh, the pictures we would pose for and guess what was in the background almost every time?  Yes the nice white station wagon.  You all know the shots, here you see the lovely North Dakota countryside, behind the family and the car.  The highways back then weren't Interstates, they were  two lane roads with large trucks on them, but not semi's.  If you were going faster than the cars you came up on you had to pass on the left.  No shoulders on the roads either.  Did I mention the air-conditioning, windows down, and no listening to the radio in the back as the wind blowing through your hair almost whipped your ears off.  Sticking your hands out or putting your head to close put you in danger of being a windshield for the bugs that missed it the first time.  No seat belts, really, you could stand on the floor in the back seat and look over the dash at impending doom at seventy miles an hour, especially when passing on two lanes.  It was a wonderful time to be a kid.

Our family made weekend picnic trips.  They were some of the best times in my young life.  We loved seeing the countryside and places of interest, and drinking  a cold bottle of soda while the gas was filled up by an attendant.  Windshield wiped clean, the air and oil checked these were normal things.  My dad could ask directions, let me tell you.  It only took a few times from mom to remind him that we were lost.

When my father came back from a remote assignment in Alaska, we were told we were moving to Alaska.  Alaska, the land of the midnight sun.  The decision was to drive the ALCAN  Highway, but then it was getting close to winter time and it would be treacherous.  The family would board the ferry in Seattle and take it to Prince Rupert, British Colombia, then drive the rest of the way to Anchorage.  This was the winter of 1965.  The snow was already falling heavily way up north, after we departed Seattle. The ferry had all the vehicles below and it was such a fun cruise for us as kids.  I don't really think that my dad was sick that much , but most of my memories of that trip I don't remember seeing his smiling face a lot, except for a dinner or two. No sweat dad.  Mom was a trooper, though.

We finally got out at Prince Rupert and as my memory serves me, we fueled up and told the authorities that we were going to drive on to Haines Junction.  It was already dark for most of the day with only a few hours of daylight.  In those days you had to let them know when you left as it was a long drive over snow covered roads that had shoulder poles over six feet tall  as markers so you could stay on the road. My parents were in the front bench seat, my sister on the bench seat in the back, my brother in a niche in the very back with the luggage.  I was on the floor board over the hump.  We had beds made up so we could sleep.  I remember waking up at some time, listening to my parents talk to each other and my brother and sister sleeping away.  My right hand was under the front seat near the railing when my fingers touched a cold metal screw driver.  I was just trying to relax and enter that calm sleep state again when I took the screw driver and lightly starting tapping the seat rail.  Now imagine this, here you are driving your family a long distance in a vehicle that has served you well, the miles on it are over a hundred thousand, the engine is aluminum. Yes, back then there was concern over aluminum blocks.  All of a sudden you hear a tap, tap, tap... It is rhythmic, you've trusted this car.  I hear my dad ask my mom to see if any of us kids are awake.  I keep up my sleep action as survival mode has kicked into my psyche.  Mom moves over me and looks, she can't see my hand under the seat and she sits back down.  I continue to tap, tap, tap.  As Dad speeds up I tap faster, as he slows down I tap slower.


So here I was sharing this story with the family, everyone laughing and rolling, except one person... Guess who that was, my dad looked like he was thirty years younger and started to get up.  He had the "look," on him and I kinda laughed. He finally realized that his whooping my butt wouldn't do any good now and he smiled.

Had my dad caught me doing that years ago, my parents would have arrived in Haines Junction with my mom, brother and sister.  They would have said they didn't know what happened to ten year old Chris and that it was awfully cold and snowy on the road.  Sometime in the spring they might have found my body with a look of fear on my face and a screw driver in my hands.  Just kidding, but that's what vision I had as mom leaned over the seat to check on us.   I had to continue tapping until I fell asleep and the screw driver had to be removed as evidence later.

The Joy of  spending Christmas with Family enables us to share wonderful heartfelt stories with our families and to see the Joy of the Holidays on our family members faces.  I will cherish the look on my folks face that year in Texas.   The look was one of they really could have gotten away with it.

Merry Christmas Mom & Dad

Love you...


photo courtesy of flikr

Gimme a Break...

Why do we always feel the need to discuss our points of view about one political party over another especially after a truly divided election?  The issue isn't about changing the other person or their point of view.  It should be about what we have in common.  I've been guilty of wanting to rub those with opposing view points with little digs when the opportunity presents itself.  It is in my sinful nature. It is what makes me a man, but disgraces the man that I am to be.  

We as Christians have become polarized.  We want to change the others that support the other party. All the usual arguments take place.  The Democrats issue claims that Republicans are against the right for women to choose what to do with their own bodies, and that Republicans are against homosexuals or gay rights, and that Immigrants shouldn't be given amnesty for being in the country illegally, and that they don't care about unions and representative rights.  Democrats claim that Republicans are not representing the people and their rights.  They state Republicans don't care about the poor or those in need and they have lost touch with the common man. Republicans are racist, they want to keep the poor, poor.  Republicans are evil, and that they don't care about anyone but big business is the mantra. What a lot of bad things to say about half of the electorate.  

Now Republicans say that Democrats are for a woman's right to choose any form of birth control including the destruction of a child within the womb.  That Democrats are for increasing the need for the government programs to assist those that don't work, or those that have a want. That taxes must be increased to pay for those programs.  That it is the responsibility of those with businesses to pay for those that don't.  Republicans state that Democrats have become socialists. Democrats believe in freedom for anyone to be able to marry anyone they desire in spite of law this is according to Republicans. The back and forth argument  continues...

Now throw in the Christian perspective.  Oh, how the mud slinging continues... Recent Democratic Christian comment has included the above mentioned about their Republican counterparts.  How can Republican Christians vote for a non-christian?  They would never do that.  Republicans respond with How can Democratic Christians vote for a non-christian?  A President who is Muslim, oh, no he's a  Christian, really?   

Why do we get so righteous over politics?  Before we start arguing over who is right and wrong or which party is the best for us as Christians, let's be bold.  The commonality of our Lord Jesus is the connection here.  Wasn't there a Roman Centurion who had faith in the Lord?  Of course there was, Matt 8:5-13.

Do you think for a moment that He was the same politically as the Sanhedrin or the disciples? No, he wasn't. 

How can we as Christians co-exist with our politics?  We can't.  We are not of this world and we need to suck it up and get over it.  Now which party should you belong to?  I'm not going to tell you.  That decision is for you and the Lord. 

What do you believe about a person's individual right to do whatever they want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone or anything or break the Law?  Is that Okay?  Is that conforming to the world view?  

Is it okay for a person to kill another person?  Is it okay?  What about a murderer? What about an accident?   What about an unborn child?  

Is it okay for two consenting adults to marry?  Is it okay for an adult and a teenager to marry? What if one of the teenagers is fifteen?  What if they are really mature?  Should there be a national issue with that?  

Is it the governments responsibility to take care of it's citizens?  Should the government be the biggest employer in the United States?  Do you look at Matthew 5:3 and think of the poor?  Shouldn't that be the poor in spirit?  That doesn't state the physical condition, but spiritual.

As His disciples aren't we supposed to Love one another?  So what does that mean to you?  Does it mean that you only Love those that agree with your point of view?  What about the orphans, widows, or the poor?  

Do you believe in contracts?  Does your word mean as much as your signature?  As Christians shouldn't we believe in our Contract the Bible to live accordingly?  

We need to bring change to this world and we aren't going to do that by always wanting to impress others with our point of view without discussing what we believe in.  

I Believe that Christ died for me. The Lord shed His blood and sacrificed His Life for me.  He purchased me  a sinner because He loves me.  That He doesn't care about my political point of view, He cares about my Spiritual Point of Grace.  He is coming back!  I thank the Holy Spirit for keeping me focused on this short foo-foo life. I Thank my God for the world I live on, and the country I breath in.

Peace and Love to you my brothers and sisters in Christ.  

 

We are Dying Socially

We are dying socially. We don't engage with people on a personal level enough. We lock in on our own personal world through technology. We live with distraction. We don't listen to the world crying out. We have become calloused to our neighbor. We don't know our neighbor or his family. We are becoming a nation of lost personalities. We idolize cable and satellite. We idolize our smart phones. We latch on to our computers and book time with short quips as dialogue. We don't spend enough time unplugged to see that our country is dying. We are in trouble. We have created this nightmare ourselves. We are ruled by those we have put in power. We have given up our rights as citizens. We don't know what a citizen is anymore. We love things more than each other. We strive for victory when we don't know what it is we are winning. We are lost. The world we once knew is gone. We cry for mercy when we don't have any concept of what it means. We lose our language each day we text or tweet one another. The damage is done.

We are looking for salvation in the wrong place. We need to go to a quiet place and reclaim our heritage. We need participate with each other in projects that change lives. We need to journey without our technology and only use our hands and feet. We need to find value with one another through listening and caring for each other. We need to lose ourselves outwardly for a better purpose of giving love to our fellow man. We need to care for one another. We need to be with one another. We need to find personal meaning with our creator. We need a personal relationship in order to be that person. We need to value the meaning of the Word and it's power. We need to pass on our mistakes and take hold of our future. We can overcome. We can be redeemed.  We includes me. 

Meet you in the War Room

"Fight for It!"  Don't Surrender!  It is worth everything you have within you to keep.  You must do everything that you can do to keep it.  It is a coward that surrenders and let's it all go away. The Love you had is worth it, as is the memory of that feeling of being complete.  The decision of giving up on the relationship is being a coward.  It is truly a miracle that Jesus didn't give up on us.  Oh, He could have and think of all the testing He got in fulfilling the purpose and plan of His Father.  

Every relationship has trouble and difficulties.  I know, I was most of the difficulties in my relationship with my beautiful wife.  I was a control freak and didn't even realize it.  I thank God that He isn't one.  Why do you think we have free will?  How can you love someone or something without free will? It is the ultimate freedom to Love.  Controlling someone or something is just so wrong in any relationship. So is giving up! I know that I'm going to touch some nerves here and that's okay.   The Lord showed me that He was in control and that for me to understand His Love I had to bow down to His Will.  His words to me as I let my controlling issues pass. "I will bless you and I will still Love you."  

For Jesus loved me First, and I really believe that will all my soul.  My key to freedom was forgiveness.  I was able to truly forgive myself and others through the Lord.  After all, He was beaten and tortured mercilessly for me and you.  He Fought for it. He didn't surrender!  He gave it all in His nakedness on the cross.  Our lamb of God, our redeemer.  It didn't end there, He was buried in a Tomb and rose again in Victory, but wait, He ascended into the Glory of Heaven promising His Return.  He Promised!  He didn't surrender with His relationship with me or anyone else.  He told me that He loved me and that He wouldn't abandon me.  I believe Him.  Shouldn't you?  

So why do we treat the ones we love with such distaste, is it because we can't change them to what we want?  Or is it because we see in them the things that remind us of our failings.  Are we jealous of each other because he/she does something so much better than we do?  Why do we do that?  It  is due to our own insecurities and issues.  I know because that has been me.  When people find out how long I've been married , often the response is, "Really, how could you stay with someone that long, or how did you find someone to put up with you that long?"  I laugh.  It has nothing to do with me or my wife.  It has to do with the Lord.  Oh, I'll give my wife most of the credit because it's true.  She fought for me, She didn't surrender. She always  prayed that I would be the Man that God desired for me to be. She saw the potential for a Warrior King, a Legend in His own Mind, she saw it in me, even when I couldn't.  

Relationships need nurturing and care.  The Lord uses His Word and our Prayers to reach His inner most chamber.  The War Room, where He reassures His creation. Yes, we are His creation.  He wants us to fight for our marriages and our families.  It is the legacy of His Love for Us.  I'm going to continue to Fight for marriages and relationships and be the Leader that He has called me to be.  I won't surrender for the Savior is with me.   He is waiting for you to pray and fight for Him and this world.  Don't be remembered as a coward.  Stand up and fight for your current situation.  If you believe in the Lord you will do it with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul.  

See you in the War Room.

How crazy is this?

How crazy is this?  We spend our lives walking around in a daze.  Not paying attention to the real world around us.  I'm guilty.  When you leave the sanctity of your castle, you glance at the neighborhood quickly as you hurry to your car.  All is good.  The checklist in your head is checking off all the items that you know need to be taken care of as you progress.

Door locked, check.  Glance at it to make sure.
Neighborhood Free of People, check.  Look around once more to see if anything is out of place. Nope, good.
Glance at car before entry, check.  Dang it's dirty, note to self, wash this thing please, check.
Unlock door, check.
Climb inside, insert key, check.  Oh, put on the seat belt, it's only a short trip, put it on, check.
Check the station, volume and rotate to desired mood setting station,  check.
Turn on key, check.  Glance around inside then outside, listen to car sounds, check.
Put car in reverse, check.  Slowly back up toward street, check.
In the street, watching for other vehicles, children, or distractions, check.

Mind blank, body on full auto, check.  Driving, check.

We don't engage. Check, no really check.

Now let's engage not enrage one another.  Yup, let's engage NOT enrage one another!  We live in the best country in the world. The best!  Everybody wants to come to America and have the Freedom we have.  Our founding Father's built this Nation.  Our History shows the struggle to maintain it.  We have had disagreements and arguments between our ideals before.  It has even caused the Civil War.  Our families have banded together to make this a land of opportunity.  When things haven't gone the way we expect them to go we have all had the opportunity to vote and make a change.  We have engaged the process.  We are facing a difficult time.  The economy is not good. Look around you.  How many businesses are no longer there that were there four years ago?  I'm not placing blame here, I'm wanting you to engage.  Each time you go to the gas station to fill your car up, is it more or less than four years ago?  Engage with me.  I'm still not placing blame.  What has the government done for you in the past four years?  Should it have done all that for you?  In the past four years have you left a job for any reason and are no longer receiving any help?  Are you working two jobs now that don't compare to the job you had four years ago?  Engage with me.  I'm still just asking questions.  Do you really know the inner circle of the White House?  Really?  Can you name the Advisers to the President?  Do you know the members of the Senate?  The members of the Legislature?  Are you scared of what will happen to our country after the election?  Why are you so scared?  There are three branches of government and there are checks and balances in the system.  In the past four years who had control of the Senate?  Who had control of the Legislature?  Why couldn't they and the President build a budget?  Please still engage with me. Do you think that the next four years are going to be better if the present folks, the Senate, House of Representatives, and the White House stay the same?  The nation voted four years ago for change, it changed. Was the result today the answer you were expecting?  If it was, so be it. If it wasn't then who should be changed?  Do you know which President has used the most Executive Orders in the History of the Nation to gain unlimited power without using the other branches of the Government?  Do you think that is a good thing?  Why is the use of fear driving this election?  Do you actually think that women are going to become second class citizens and have no rights after this election?  Why?  Don't women in the countries we are currently fighting in have great freedoms?  Don't get enraged, just engage.  Don't we have more citizen rights than other nations?

Please engage this voting season.  Please don't enrage.  We have done that in our History before and it hasn't been good for anyone.  We may disagree, but we should have more to agree on together than anything.  When we think that one party is fighting to take away rights, look at the big picture.  Where else in the world could people have the opportunity to do pretty much everything and complain about it?  No where else.  If you think that it is better somewhere else, then please move there, cause I've been there and someone there would love to take your place.  Don't  enrage just engage.

So Engage with one another, Don't enrage one another. Check.

Time to Worship

God, what kind of service are we having here?  I'm just not feeling it Lord.  Can't the lights be better? Can't the music be more moving and inspirational?  Why don't more people sing joyfully? Why is the Worship team look like they are just doing a chore?  What is going on here Lord!  I'm just not feeling it, and look there are so many people missing this morning.  They're probably spending time traveling or sleeping in.  Man, I'd sure like to do that on a Sunday. Why doesn't the Pastor preach more from his heart. It's the same ole thing, Lord I'm not getting any meat here.  What am I supposed to do?  Please tell me Lord cause in fifty minutes everyone will be rushing to head out the door to do all the activities that they have planned.  You know Lord we are even studying in our small group about not rushing around and getting caught up in the world.  I wonder how my fantasy football team will do today?  I should have paid more attention to the sports shows this week as my Wide Receivers aren't really getting me any points.  Oh, yes dear, I'm paying attention.   What's this?  You want to recognize us and give us credit for our Service to our Country.  Oh my God, there are so few of us left and we look so much older.  Why do I feel this way?  

The Lord begins to share His Grace with me.  It isn't about what I desire in the message or service or the singing.  It isn't the fault of anyone else that I feel the way I feel because I have missed it this morning.  I have done the Lord a big disservice.  I am not Worshiping!  What?

"STOP!"   What?  "STOP!"   What!  "STOP!"  Whoa, Is that You Lord?  Oh, My God, it is You!  Your Holy Presence has come upon me.  Worship!  Worship!  Worship!  For He is Holy, Holy, Holy!   Forgive me Lord!  I am so ashamed, Father that I would have my mind running wild and being so disconnected to you.  I adore You my Father!  YOU redeemed me, forgave me, and died for me and here I am to worship You and I am withholding Your Grace from me this Morning.  Forgive Me.   I rend my garment and throw the dirt and ashes on me Lord for such Shameful Behavior.  I am so unworthy for all your Grace and Love.  

Lord make in me a New Heart!  Change me Father as only You can.  

"WORSHIP ME!"  I am  Lord, I raise my Soul to You and Thank-you for letting me See You this Morning!  Oh Father!  I See the Joy that the Worship Team has for You!  They are singing Holy Words to You!  I praise You Father! Yes, I hear the Word from the Pastor that You want me to Hear!  Oh, Father I cry out to You!  The tears I shed are the offering to You this morning in WORSHIP!  You are showing me that I need to come prepared to Worship every moment that I come to you.   Thank you Father for showing the Words that I need to read and place on my heart this morning. 

1 Peter 4:12-19

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His Glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters.  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him be not ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.  

For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  Now

"If the righteous one is scarcely saved,

Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Let me Worship You my King!   Thank-you Lord, for showing me through Your Holy Spirit what I need to be the example of Grace you have given the Church.  In 1 Peter 5, You speak to me, that I need to Lead by Example. That we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us in due time, casting all our care upon Him, for He cares for us.  Yes, Father we all will read these powerful words and understand that we are to Exalt and Worship You!   And as we greet one another with a kiss of love, Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

My desire is that you take this message to heart. That it isn't the fault of anyone else but you, if you aren't prepared to Worship the Lord each and every moment you go to Him.  Be Thank-full for the Servants of the King that prepare and humble themselves when they Worship the Lord and share with others. So give them Thanks for they are here to Serve the Lord with Joyful Hearts.  So the next time you come to Church be Prepared to Worship, because He is God and He will know.  

My Rock and Fortress

For you are my rock and my fortress; 
Therefore, for Your name's sake, 
Lead me and guide me.  
Pull me out of the net which they
  have secretly laid up for me, 
For You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O Lord 
   God of truth.

Ps. 31:3-5



For you are my rock and fortress, this is a powerful image when you have a visual.  Imagine that the extremes of weather, time and life won't do much to this rock. Jesus is our rock and fortress. That alone would be enough, but like the commercials say "...but, wait there's more..."  Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. This couldn't be any stronger, it's not my  name sake or Joe Bob's, Billie Jeans, or anyone else, it is Your Name's sake.  The Creator of the Universe.  The CREATOR, not some nebulous thing that you can't comprehend, well maybe it's tough to think of Him that way. The Father of us all.  Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid up for me,  We aren't talking the internet although now a days it could be.  This is all the stuff that circumstances and events that our enemies and the evil one lay up on us.

The deception and lies in life that we are constantly bombarded with. We know exactly which ones that affect us spiritually, physically, and mentally when we don't focus on the life the Father has blessed us with.  Man, I've been there in the net trying to struggle free and it just wasn't working.  Thankfully someone would remind me that it's not me alone, that I needed to quit taking my struggles back from the Lord. This is something that I do often, not meaning to, but it just happens.  I like being in control of my Life, but I like having Him being in Control of me.  It makes is so much easier.  Humility is a great motivator for me as I begin to see some of the Plans of the Lord as they relate to me.  He is wonderful in moving the life around me and letting me catch a glimpse of His "God Moment."  The kind of moment when you know you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit and He is making something wonderful happen.  That is a beautiful thing.

For You are my strength.  Oh, yes, Father you are my strength.  You give us the Power to move forward when we are down. You give the strength to Love someone that we normally would rather not be with. You give us the ability to gather together to serve You in extraordinary and supernatural ways.  We don't have it in us to be that strong for one another.  It is only through You, Jesus that we have that strength.

Into Your hand I commit my spirit;  Into Your hand Father I commit my spirit, this isn't a physical thing it's a spiritual and supernatural essence of our being.  We can think of the times as children or as a parent or grandparent of reaching out to the one we trust and love and wanting that touch.  It is grace to see a small child reach out their little hand and want to have someone take it and give them comfort.  We give the Father our Lord Jesus our hand to take our spirit and give us comfort and shelter.  When I was deathly ill this past year that was my prayer, Lord into you I commit my spirit, what comfort that was knowing that He had me in His hand.  He gave me comfort and peace and told me it wasn't time for me to go yet, that He had plans for me to complete before I could be with Him.  Thank-you Lord.


You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.  I am redeemed. I am delivered from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for me the sinner.  (Webster's loose definition).  The sacrifice was Jesus Christ who unselfishly gave Himself up for not only my sin, but the sin of the world.  That includes you and all of us.  Why is it so hard for people to understand?  For God so loved the world that He gave His  only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  John 3:16-17.
 
What more can we ask for?  We can't do this alone, for we have a Savior that is right there, meeting us with open arms and is as Loving as we will ever know.  Where will you place your Love, for me it is founded on my Rock and Fortress, Jesus Christ.  Amen.