I received an email today with a great poem, attributed to Maya Angelou. I did some research online and found out it wasn't written by her, and it had been changed a little along the way...like the game of "telephone" via the internet. Anyway, I really liked the sentiment, and hadn't blogged for awhile, so I thought I would share it to brighten your day.
When I say "I am a Christian"
Carol Wimmer
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way".
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide.
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught.
When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it.
When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name.
When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Resolutions and Change
It is a new year. Each new year is also an introduction to a new age for me, since my birthday is on New Year's Eve. The year 2008 also begins another chronologcial year of life for me. I tend to become reflective around my birthday, wondering what the next year will bring. That is intensified as the whole world also reflects on my birthday, planning resolutions for the new year. I guess we all need benchmarks, times to evaluate who we are, who we wish to be, and the disparity between the two.
I was on vacation in Georgia, visiting my sister and her family, over the holidays. I had a rare opportunity to sit in the pews of a church, rather than staring out at the pews, which excited me. I went to the mammoth (an understatement) Baptist church around the corner from my sister's house (which their family affectionately calls the "Jesus Dome") on the 30th. The guest preacher talked about family relationships and forgiveness. I guess he figured that most people were ready to kill their families after too much holiday time together! He opened his sermon by talking about resolutions. I can't remember the source he quoted...probably because my butt was still vibrating from the 15 guitars, drums, basses and other band instruments that made my seat move. Anyway, he referred to a sample population somewhere who were asked about new year's resolutions. Of the people questioned, all of them had new year's resolutions. When asked the likelihood of keeping those resolutions, 85 percent of people expected to fail (before the new year even began). When the same people were asked what their resolutions were from the previous year, guess what percentage could NOT remember? 100 percent. That floored me. But come to think of it, I am not really sure what my resolutions for 2007 were either...
All of this has got me thinking about the purpose of resolutions. Why even have them at all if no one keeps them? What is the purpose? I guess we all need a little hope, the glimmer of feeling that this year will be better than the last. We also like the illusion of control. If we feel in control of our fate--if we can do something, anything, to make ourselves better, happier--the future seems easier to face. But why do we give up? I guess because it is hard. Change is hard. Impossible, though? I hope not!
I had someone tell me recently that people just don't change. Is that really true? Our failure to keep resolutions is not the greatest testimony to our ability to change. My history teacher in high school told us that a basic human personality is formed by the age of 6 and will not change without some catastrophic, world-shaking kind of event. Keep in mind, he also told us how to "drop acid". (He was an archetypal hippie, so random, drug-references would often occur). My college psychology major convinced me that basic personality is formed even earlier than age 6, but made me optimistic that change is possible. The whole profession of psychology is built around the idea that people can, and do, change. Come to think of it, so is ministry. Christianity is all about transformation...dying with Christ and rising to new life..."the old has gone, the new has come".
People can change, become better, be transformed...but it doesn't always happen. In fact, transformation and change may be more the exception than the rule. I think there is one central thing which contributes to our changelessness more than anything else: our inability, or unwillingness, to do the difficult inner work required for change. That "inner work" encompasses a lot of things, but fundamentally: taking responsibility for our own actions, situations, weaknesses and sins, facing our inner demons with courage and consistency, taking time to understand our motivations and responses, the ability to defer immediate gratification for a greater reward down the road, etc.
I think about the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit. When God comes to them, asking what they have done (even though He knows full well what has happened), Adam blames the woman, the woman blames the snake...and I am sure the snake would have blamed someone, too, if given the chance...but he was long gone, his work being accomplished. I think that blaming is the worst part of it all. Rather than saying, "You know what God, we really messed up. We did what you asked us not to do and we have no one to blame but ourselves; we need Your help and Your forgiveness; we cannot be the people you created us to be without Your help. Please help." Instead, they say, "It wasn't me!" We do the same thing today. In relationships that are difficult, it is the other person who acts unreasonably. In our jobs, it is our co-workers, our boss, the mundane tasks that make us miserable. In our diets, we are too busy too exercise. There is usually an excuse for why we don't change...and most of the time, it is because of someone, or some thing, else. We don't like to look inside. We don't like to take responsibility.
We like things to be fast, convenient, and effortless. I know this because I am human. I am prone to these tendencies. The greatest obstacle between where I am now and where I want to be has always been, and will always be, me. I believe that to be a universal truth. We cannot control all the things that happen in our lives. Tragedies and joys come and go. The only thing we can control is our response...who we are in the midst of all that happens around us. Too often, we let what is happening around us define who we are and what we experience. We settle for status quo and suddenly another new year comes, and nothing has really changed.
What is the point of all this mental wandering? I guess to encourage myself, and all of us, to not give up on change in the new year. Let's do the work that it takes to be the people we are meant to be. It is slow, difficult, internal work...but it is not impossible. People CAN change. The choice is ours alone.
I was on vacation in Georgia, visiting my sister and her family, over the holidays. I had a rare opportunity to sit in the pews of a church, rather than staring out at the pews, which excited me. I went to the mammoth (an understatement) Baptist church around the corner from my sister's house (which their family affectionately calls the "Jesus Dome") on the 30th. The guest preacher talked about family relationships and forgiveness. I guess he figured that most people were ready to kill their families after too much holiday time together! He opened his sermon by talking about resolutions. I can't remember the source he quoted...probably because my butt was still vibrating from the 15 guitars, drums, basses and other band instruments that made my seat move. Anyway, he referred to a sample population somewhere who were asked about new year's resolutions. Of the people questioned, all of them had new year's resolutions. When asked the likelihood of keeping those resolutions, 85 percent of people expected to fail (before the new year even began). When the same people were asked what their resolutions were from the previous year, guess what percentage could NOT remember? 100 percent. That floored me. But come to think of it, I am not really sure what my resolutions for 2007 were either...
All of this has got me thinking about the purpose of resolutions. Why even have them at all if no one keeps them? What is the purpose? I guess we all need a little hope, the glimmer of feeling that this year will be better than the last. We also like the illusion of control. If we feel in control of our fate--if we can do something, anything, to make ourselves better, happier--the future seems easier to face. But why do we give up? I guess because it is hard. Change is hard. Impossible, though? I hope not!
I had someone tell me recently that people just don't change. Is that really true? Our failure to keep resolutions is not the greatest testimony to our ability to change. My history teacher in high school told us that a basic human personality is formed by the age of 6 and will not change without some catastrophic, world-shaking kind of event. Keep in mind, he also told us how to "drop acid". (He was an archetypal hippie, so random, drug-references would often occur). My college psychology major convinced me that basic personality is formed even earlier than age 6, but made me optimistic that change is possible. The whole profession of psychology is built around the idea that people can, and do, change. Come to think of it, so is ministry. Christianity is all about transformation...dying with Christ and rising to new life..."the old has gone, the new has come".
People can change, become better, be transformed...but it doesn't always happen. In fact, transformation and change may be more the exception than the rule. I think there is one central thing which contributes to our changelessness more than anything else: our inability, or unwillingness, to do the difficult inner work required for change. That "inner work" encompasses a lot of things, but fundamentally: taking responsibility for our own actions, situations, weaknesses and sins, facing our inner demons with courage and consistency, taking time to understand our motivations and responses, the ability to defer immediate gratification for a greater reward down the road, etc.
I think about the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve had eaten the forbidden fruit. When God comes to them, asking what they have done (even though He knows full well what has happened), Adam blames the woman, the woman blames the snake...and I am sure the snake would have blamed someone, too, if given the chance...but he was long gone, his work being accomplished. I think that blaming is the worst part of it all. Rather than saying, "You know what God, we really messed up. We did what you asked us not to do and we have no one to blame but ourselves; we need Your help and Your forgiveness; we cannot be the people you created us to be without Your help. Please help." Instead, they say, "It wasn't me!" We do the same thing today. In relationships that are difficult, it is the other person who acts unreasonably. In our jobs, it is our co-workers, our boss, the mundane tasks that make us miserable. In our diets, we are too busy too exercise. There is usually an excuse for why we don't change...and most of the time, it is because of someone, or some thing, else. We don't like to look inside. We don't like to take responsibility.
We like things to be fast, convenient, and effortless. I know this because I am human. I am prone to these tendencies. The greatest obstacle between where I am now and where I want to be has always been, and will always be, me. I believe that to be a universal truth. We cannot control all the things that happen in our lives. Tragedies and joys come and go. The only thing we can control is our response...who we are in the midst of all that happens around us. Too often, we let what is happening around us define who we are and what we experience. We settle for status quo and suddenly another new year comes, and nothing has really changed.
What is the point of all this mental wandering? I guess to encourage myself, and all of us, to not give up on change in the new year. Let's do the work that it takes to be the people we are meant to be. It is slow, difficult, internal work...but it is not impossible. People CAN change. The choice is ours alone.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Season of Giving
I had an experience tonight that has me reflecting on what it really means to give. Walking out of a restaurant with some take out, a man stopped me. He had a story. There was a time in my ministry when I heard at least 20 such stories a week. Now, since my church is in the middle of some fields, I don't hear too many stories.
There are people in this world who have made scamming others into an art form. They are truly gifted. I've often wondered why these people don't channel all that creative energy and seek more honest income. For some, this scheming life might be rather lucrative. I remember reading a news article about a panhandler in a major metropolitan area who made over $50,000 a year (and that was several years ago, so he probably makes even more now). In reality, I think that is a rarity. Even the people that lie to you have a geunine need, sometimes truly financial, sometimes deeper than meets the eye, often both. I heard someone say that, as Christians, it is our job to "discern what the true need is" when people ask us for something. What are they really asking for?
I am not sure if the man I met tonight was lying to me or not. It is frustrating to me that I am automatically cynical and defensive when someone approaches me for help...as if I am expecting to be cheated. Certainly there are people who are honest and upfront about what they need. If you close yourself off to everyone, you may turn your back on someone who really needs help.
It is interesting to me that Jesus doesn't make distinctions when it comes to giving. He doesn't say, "Only give to someone if you are sure they are not lying to you and if they can produce proof of genuine need" or "Never give cash to someone because they will just buy booze with it" or "Just send them to a social service agency, that's what they are there for, anyway". Jesus is pretty radical when it comes to ideas about giving...actually, when it comes to pretty much everything.
Jesus doesn't talk about being nice. He talks about treating people differently than our instincts tell us: doing what seems unnatural, loving when we don't feel like it, giving when we would rather withold, taking people at face value, etc. Jesus says a little bit about that kind of stuff here:
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
~Luke 6:27-31
I have read many commentaries about this passage and others like it. I've heard sermons about it, too. Most of the time, people want to water down what Jesus says. "He didn't mean it literally", they say. I think that is the easy way out. Maybe Jesus meant what He said, just the way He said it.
Whenever someone asks me for something, I hear His words echoing through my mind: "Give to everyone who asks you". I heard that tonight, when the man, with his wife and child standing in the cold, needed $18 more for a part for their broken car. I listened to the details of his story and asked some questions. He seemed genuine. Finally, I decided that I would give him the money. Now, I could have gone to the store and actually paid the money to the clerk, which would have been wisest. But it was cold and I was running late, and I figured I would step out on a limb and trust the man. He very well may have lied to me. If he lied, well, I guess that is between him and the Lord, the One to whom we all must give account some day.
As for me, when I stand before Jesus, I don't think He will be disappointed if I was too gullible and someone took advantage of me. I do think, however, that He would be upset if I had turned away one of His children in need.
I know that we all have to be discerning--to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. That means we have to make responsible choices with our resources. In life, however, there are many times when you cannot be certain which choice is right. At such times, I would rather err on the side of grace, compassion, and love...and if I get scammed every once in a while, well, I guess that is ok.
There are people in this world who have made scamming others into an art form. They are truly gifted. I've often wondered why these people don't channel all that creative energy and seek more honest income. For some, this scheming life might be rather lucrative. I remember reading a news article about a panhandler in a major metropolitan area who made over $50,000 a year (and that was several years ago, so he probably makes even more now). In reality, I think that is a rarity. Even the people that lie to you have a geunine need, sometimes truly financial, sometimes deeper than meets the eye, often both. I heard someone say that, as Christians, it is our job to "discern what the true need is" when people ask us for something. What are they really asking for?
I am not sure if the man I met tonight was lying to me or not. It is frustrating to me that I am automatically cynical and defensive when someone approaches me for help...as if I am expecting to be cheated. Certainly there are people who are honest and upfront about what they need. If you close yourself off to everyone, you may turn your back on someone who really needs help.
It is interesting to me that Jesus doesn't make distinctions when it comes to giving. He doesn't say, "Only give to someone if you are sure they are not lying to you and if they can produce proof of genuine need" or "Never give cash to someone because they will just buy booze with it" or "Just send them to a social service agency, that's what they are there for, anyway". Jesus is pretty radical when it comes to ideas about giving...actually, when it comes to pretty much everything.
Jesus doesn't talk about being nice. He talks about treating people differently than our instincts tell us: doing what seems unnatural, loving when we don't feel like it, giving when we would rather withold, taking people at face value, etc. Jesus says a little bit about that kind of stuff here:
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
~Luke 6:27-31
I have read many commentaries about this passage and others like it. I've heard sermons about it, too. Most of the time, people want to water down what Jesus says. "He didn't mean it literally", they say. I think that is the easy way out. Maybe Jesus meant what He said, just the way He said it.
Whenever someone asks me for something, I hear His words echoing through my mind: "Give to everyone who asks you". I heard that tonight, when the man, with his wife and child standing in the cold, needed $18 more for a part for their broken car. I listened to the details of his story and asked some questions. He seemed genuine. Finally, I decided that I would give him the money. Now, I could have gone to the store and actually paid the money to the clerk, which would have been wisest. But it was cold and I was running late, and I figured I would step out on a limb and trust the man. He very well may have lied to me. If he lied, well, I guess that is between him and the Lord, the One to whom we all must give account some day.
As for me, when I stand before Jesus, I don't think He will be disappointed if I was too gullible and someone took advantage of me. I do think, however, that He would be upset if I had turned away one of His children in need.
I know that we all have to be discerning--to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. That means we have to make responsible choices with our resources. In life, however, there are many times when you cannot be certain which choice is right. At such times, I would rather err on the side of grace, compassion, and love...and if I get scammed every once in a while, well, I guess that is ok.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Christmas Fun
This is just a fun Christmas-time activity. Because I am verbose beyond description, I cannot simply answer the questions with one or two words. Sorry!!!
I'd love to hear your responses to the questions. Copy and paste this into the comments section and add your own answers. Or, email me (you can look in the "About me" section on the left-hand side of the webpage, and click on "view my complete profile"; there is is link to my email on my profile page).
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags: I'd have to say gift bags, though I feel guilty about that, since this holiday season, Americans will produce 44 million tons of waste, a 25 percent increase over the rest of the year. I've heard of people using the comic pages of the newspaper as wrapping. I like that idea!
2. Real or Artificial tree? Artificial...because you can put it up any time, keep it up as long as you want, and not worry about starting your house on fire.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Not until Epiphany on Jan. 6th...since that is when Christmas officially ends.
5. Do you like Eggnog? It tastes like toes.
6. Favorite Gift you received as a child? Books...the consistently great joy of my life.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? several...but the wise men are still on their way and not part of the "scene" yet.
8. Hardest person to buy for? my dad...he has everything...
9. Easiest person to buy for? my nieces, because there are so many cute things for girls
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Cash, from a boyfriend in college...seriously...it was a nice amount of cash ($75), but he gave it because he couldn't think of anything to get me. That was the beginning of the end.
11. Christmas Cards: Snail mail or E-mail? I like Christmas cards and all, but whenever I get them, I feel guilty for not sending them...and I really don't have time to send them. So, they are a bitter-sweet experience!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie/Show? I love them all, especially the sappy, Christmas romance movies on Lifetime and Halmark. "Charlie Brown Christmas" is my eternal Christmas favorite!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A little bit here and there from about October on...still somehow, no matter how much I plan, I end up at a store the week of Christmas to get a last minute gift...which I HATE...especially Easton, for anyone who lives in Columbus. You have to drive around the parking lots there for half an hour before you can even find a place to park...not an efficient use of my time and it makes me want to murder people! Things that lead to homicidal tendencies are not good, generally speaking.
14. Have you ever 'recycled' a Christmas present? Not really...but then again, I have a bunch of things (former gifts) that I never use, stored in my basement. I should probably start re-gifting.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? sugar cookies...with icing and sprinkles...shaped like Christmas things. LOVE THEM!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I like both...but this year have colored lights on my tree. It feels more festive...but not as polished looking.
17. Favorite Christmas Song? "We Three Kings" (the words to the verses are fabulous!!!)
18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home? As long as I am with the people I love, either is fine.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer? yes, only because I learned "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" as a young child.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree? An angel...which seems more holy to me than a star...it isn't more holy, that is just my perception. Besides, the angel on the top of my tree most likely looks NOTHING like the angels of the Bible, which were probably very scary-looking beings.
21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning? We always opened Christmas presents on Christmas even with my mom's side of the family and on Christmas day with my dad's. Now, being a pastor, Christmas Eve is a pretty crazy day, so the last thing I am thinking about is opening presents.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Traffic, crowded malls, hearing modern versions of "The 12 Days of Christmas" played every ten minutes on every radio station in the universe.
23. Shopping: Online...the parking at the malls seriously makes me crazy!
24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside(or at all?) Does a wreath on the door count as decorating outside?
25. Favorite Christmas cookie? Never met a Christmas cookie that I didn't like...but, the buckeye (a chocolate, peanut butter confection shaped like, well, a buckeye) ranks up there...guess that isn't really a "cookie"...
26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry? I bought my first "Christmas" sweater this year and wore it to every church-related Christmas event that we had. I half expected someone to ask me to start teaching 3rd grade when they saw that sweater, but I have yet to receive that job offer...
27. Do you believe in Santa? I believe there was a St. Nicholas. I believe that there are santas at the mall. But one person, living at the north pole, delivering presents to all the good children of the world...not so much.
28. Favorite Christmas tradition? Attending a late night, Christmas Eve candlelight service. I love singing "Silent Night" while everyone holds candles.
29. Favorite Christmas memory? There are many, but I loved spending time with my grandparents (who are all passed away) at Christmas. I remember my Grandma Ehrnschwender's (that's really her name) steak and potato pancake Christmas Eve dinners. I also remember waiting for my Grandpa Dietsch on Christmas morning. He always had to shave and do his morning routine on Christmas morning, while we waited to open presents. I swear it took him 45 minutes to shave. It was almost unbearable!
30. Embarrassing, Chaotic, or unexpected Christmas moment? When I was a senior in high school, I was the "head angel" on Christmas Eve. At the late night Christmas Eve candlelight service, the high school girls would dress as angels and pantomime the lyrics to "Silent Night" in front of the altar. It sounds cheesy, but it was really very beautiful...and something that the younger girls dreamed of being old enough to take part in. All the angels faced the altar, with their backs to the congregation. The "head angel" was in the very front, right at the alter, with everyone watching and following her lead. At one point of the song, we had to get down on our knees. When I,as head angel, went to stand back up, I stepped on the hem of my long white robe, tripped, and fell head first into, and onto, the altar. I pushed myself off the altar, got back into place, and finished the song...horrified and embarrassed. The choir, who had a front row perspective of my "fall", were the first to make comment after the service (but not the last). This began a series of jokes that continued for years, referring to me the "fallen angel". At first, I cringed when people said it. It became funny after a while (like, maybe, by the next Christmas!!!)
I'd love to hear your responses to the questions. Copy and paste this into the comments section and add your own answers. Or, email me (you can look in the "About me" section on the left-hand side of the webpage, and click on "view my complete profile"; there is is link to my email on my profile page).
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags: I'd have to say gift bags, though I feel guilty about that, since this holiday season, Americans will produce 44 million tons of waste, a 25 percent increase over the rest of the year. I've heard of people using the comic pages of the newspaper as wrapping. I like that idea!
2. Real or Artificial tree? Artificial...because you can put it up any time, keep it up as long as you want, and not worry about starting your house on fire.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Not until Epiphany on Jan. 6th...since that is when Christmas officially ends.
5. Do you like Eggnog? It tastes like toes.
6. Favorite Gift you received as a child? Books...the consistently great joy of my life.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? several...but the wise men are still on their way and not part of the "scene" yet.
8. Hardest person to buy for? my dad...he has everything...
9. Easiest person to buy for? my nieces, because there are so many cute things for girls
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? Cash, from a boyfriend in college...seriously...it was a nice amount of cash ($75), but he gave it because he couldn't think of anything to get me. That was the beginning of the end.
11. Christmas Cards: Snail mail or E-mail? I like Christmas cards and all, but whenever I get them, I feel guilty for not sending them...and I really don't have time to send them. So, they are a bitter-sweet experience!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie/Show? I love them all, especially the sappy, Christmas romance movies on Lifetime and Halmark. "Charlie Brown Christmas" is my eternal Christmas favorite!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? A little bit here and there from about October on...still somehow, no matter how much I plan, I end up at a store the week of Christmas to get a last minute gift...which I HATE...especially Easton, for anyone who lives in Columbus. You have to drive around the parking lots there for half an hour before you can even find a place to park...not an efficient use of my time and it makes me want to murder people! Things that lead to homicidal tendencies are not good, generally speaking.
14. Have you ever 'recycled' a Christmas present? Not really...but then again, I have a bunch of things (former gifts) that I never use, stored in my basement. I should probably start re-gifting.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? sugar cookies...with icing and sprinkles...shaped like Christmas things. LOVE THEM!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I like both...but this year have colored lights on my tree. It feels more festive...but not as polished looking.
17. Favorite Christmas Song? "We Three Kings" (the words to the verses are fabulous!!!)
18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home? As long as I am with the people I love, either is fine.
19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer? yes, only because I learned "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer" as a young child.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree? An angel...which seems more holy to me than a star...it isn't more holy, that is just my perception. Besides, the angel on the top of my tree most likely looks NOTHING like the angels of the Bible, which were probably very scary-looking beings.
21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning? We always opened Christmas presents on Christmas even with my mom's side of the family and on Christmas day with my dad's. Now, being a pastor, Christmas Eve is a pretty crazy day, so the last thing I am thinking about is opening presents.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Traffic, crowded malls, hearing modern versions of "The 12 Days of Christmas" played every ten minutes on every radio station in the universe.
23. Shopping: Online...the parking at the malls seriously makes me crazy!
24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside(or at all?) Does a wreath on the door count as decorating outside?
25. Favorite Christmas cookie? Never met a Christmas cookie that I didn't like...but, the buckeye (a chocolate, peanut butter confection shaped like, well, a buckeye) ranks up there...guess that isn't really a "cookie"...
26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry? I bought my first "Christmas" sweater this year and wore it to every church-related Christmas event that we had. I half expected someone to ask me to start teaching 3rd grade when they saw that sweater, but I have yet to receive that job offer...
27. Do you believe in Santa? I believe there was a St. Nicholas. I believe that there are santas at the mall. But one person, living at the north pole, delivering presents to all the good children of the world...not so much.
28. Favorite Christmas tradition? Attending a late night, Christmas Eve candlelight service. I love singing "Silent Night" while everyone holds candles.
29. Favorite Christmas memory? There are many, but I loved spending time with my grandparents (who are all passed away) at Christmas. I remember my Grandma Ehrnschwender's (that's really her name) steak and potato pancake Christmas Eve dinners. I also remember waiting for my Grandpa Dietsch on Christmas morning. He always had to shave and do his morning routine on Christmas morning, while we waited to open presents. I swear it took him 45 minutes to shave. It was almost unbearable!
30. Embarrassing, Chaotic, or unexpected Christmas moment? When I was a senior in high school, I was the "head angel" on Christmas Eve. At the late night Christmas Eve candlelight service, the high school girls would dress as angels and pantomime the lyrics to "Silent Night" in front of the altar. It sounds cheesy, but it was really very beautiful...and something that the younger girls dreamed of being old enough to take part in. All the angels faced the altar, with their backs to the congregation. The "head angel" was in the very front, right at the alter, with everyone watching and following her lead. At one point of the song, we had to get down on our knees. When I,as head angel, went to stand back up, I stepped on the hem of my long white robe, tripped, and fell head first into, and onto, the altar. I pushed myself off the altar, got back into place, and finished the song...horrified and embarrassed. The choir, who had a front row perspective of my "fall", were the first to make comment after the service (but not the last). This began a series of jokes that continued for years, referring to me the "fallen angel". At first, I cringed when people said it. It became funny after a while (like, maybe, by the next Christmas!!!)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
It's not your birthday...
A friend of mine (who is a youth pastor) is challenging her youth to have a "slim Christmas". She encouraged them to ask their parents for LESS presents this year, with the idea that the parents would then give that money which would have been spent on presents to a mission project for the Sudan (which I will discuss in more detail below). Can you imagine American teenagers saying, "I don't want more stuff. I have enough ipods and cell phones. Christmas isn't about me. It's about Jesus. And I want Jesus to be known in this world. What I want for Christmas is to make a difference for Jesus Christ." The amazing thing is, the kids are on fire over this, wanting to bring about the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Their youth group is also selling t-shirts, with all the proceeds going to the Sudan project. On the front, the shirts say: "It's not about me". On the back: "Living simply so that others might simply live". I've had this mental picture all day of a typical American Christmas list placed next to the list of a Sudanese child. I grew up as an American child. I know what it is like to make a Christmas list: stuff, stuff, stuff, and more stuff. Imagine the African child's list: food, clean water, shelter, safety. That really put things in perspective for me.
My youth pastor friend got this idea from a church in Tipp City, Oh called Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church. The pastor, Mike Slaughter, first challenged his congregation about 5 years ago (I believe) with the idea that Christmas is Jesus' birthday, not yours. His idea was that we can celebrate our own birthdays, but for Christ's birthday, maybe we should celebrate in ways that are more fitting His mission and purpose. Slaughter proposed that people in his congregation spend half as much on Christmas as they normally would and give the other half to mission. The specific mission that their church has embraced is in the Sudan (Darfur), which the U.N. has identified as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
From the Ginghamsburg website: "In Darfur, Sudan, 300,000 people have died over the past three years as a result of civil unrest, lack of food and disease. Two million children, women and men are refugees, with little food, drinkable water, protection or hope."
Check out more at their site: http://ginghamsburg.org/sudan/
It is a challenging message and witness for all of us. What does it really mean to be a follower of Jesus? What effect does/should our commitment to Christ have on how we live and how we give? And what does it really mean to celebrate Christmas? What kind of Christmas celebration is most pleasing to God?
Three answers from Scripture come to mind:
1) "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
2) "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
3) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' " Matthew 25:31-40
Let us remember Christ and the meaning of His birth, and let us live every part of our lives in a way that brings Him the most glory.
Their youth group is also selling t-shirts, with all the proceeds going to the Sudan project. On the front, the shirts say: "It's not about me". On the back: "Living simply so that others might simply live". I've had this mental picture all day of a typical American Christmas list placed next to the list of a Sudanese child. I grew up as an American child. I know what it is like to make a Christmas list: stuff, stuff, stuff, and more stuff. Imagine the African child's list: food, clean water, shelter, safety. That really put things in perspective for me.
My youth pastor friend got this idea from a church in Tipp City, Oh called Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church. The pastor, Mike Slaughter, first challenged his congregation about 5 years ago (I believe) with the idea that Christmas is Jesus' birthday, not yours. His idea was that we can celebrate our own birthdays, but for Christ's birthday, maybe we should celebrate in ways that are more fitting His mission and purpose. Slaughter proposed that people in his congregation spend half as much on Christmas as they normally would and give the other half to mission. The specific mission that their church has embraced is in the Sudan (Darfur), which the U.N. has identified as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
From the Ginghamsburg website: "In Darfur, Sudan, 300,000 people have died over the past three years as a result of civil unrest, lack of food and disease. Two million children, women and men are refugees, with little food, drinkable water, protection or hope."
Check out more at their site: http://ginghamsburg.org/sudan/
It is a challenging message and witness for all of us. What does it really mean to be a follower of Jesus? What effect does/should our commitment to Christ have on how we live and how we give? And what does it really mean to celebrate Christmas? What kind of Christmas celebration is most pleasing to God?
Three answers from Scripture come to mind:
1) "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
2) "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
3) "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' " Matthew 25:31-40
Let us remember Christ and the meaning of His birth, and let us live every part of our lives in a way that brings Him the most glory.
Manger Throne
At Bible study tonight, we talked about our hearts as a throne for God. That conversation brought this song to mind, though I have never heard this particular version before. It is by a group called Third Day, which I personally LOVE...but the lead singer, Mac Powell, has unique voice. It may not be everyone's taste, but the words are beautiful. Check it out!
MANGER THRONE
What kind of King would leave His throne
In Heaven to make this earth His home?
While men seek fame and great renown
In loneliness our King comes down
Jesus, Jesus, precious One
How we thank You that You've come
Jesus, Jesus, precious One
A manger throne for God’s own Son
You left the sound of angels' praise
To come for men with unkind ways
And by this Baby's helplessness
The power of nations is laid to rest
What kind of King would come so small
From glory to a humble stall?
That dirty manger is my heart, too
I'll make it a royal throne for You
My heart is a throne
My heart is a throne for God's own Son
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Being an innkeeper
For Advent this year, a group of people from my church have been reading a book called "Christmas From the Backside" by J. Ellsworth Kalas. Kalas was my preaching professor in seminary...an extraordinarily gifted preacher and man of deep faith and passionate commitment to Christ.
We used to laugh in seminary, as he would critique our sermons. He would chose a part of your sermon and say something like, "I like what you did there, but you could also do something like this..." And off he would go, preaching a new sermon--a phoenix rising from the ashes of your old sermon. His impromptu sermons were some of the most beautiful I've ever heard, leaving us breathless and often in tears. It is rare that I have been in the presence of such greatness, but once you've experienced it, you never forget.
Kalas has a collection of books whose titles include the phrase "from the backside": parables from the backside, new testament stories from the backside, old testament stories from the backside, on and on, etc. He likes to take familiar stories and look at them from a new perspective (i.e. "the backside"). One thing I remember most from his class was a concept he often repeated. The idea was that we, as preachers, need to find something unique to say in each sermon. Not something no one in the history of the world had ever thought of before, it just had to be new to us...an "aha moment". That's probably not a bad principle for any public speaker...or really anyone who speaks, ever: Before you talk, make sure you have something to say! In a world of too many words, we were inspired to actually speak with meaning, hope, excitement...speaking as if God is really alive and active and doing someting in the world and in our lives. I try to do that in sermons, to feel like I have something--at least one thing--that needs to be said because of its depth and originality. Some Sundays are better than others, but that is the nature of life, I think!
In reading this book during Advent, there are several things Kalas has brought to light for me, making me think about the Christmas Story in a new way. In one chapter, he discusses the innkeeper (the one who had no room for Mary and Joseph in his establishment that first Christmas Eve). I really liked what Kalas had to say and appreciate what is has meant to me this season, as my heart prepares more room for Christ.
From Christmas From the Backside by J. Ellsworth Kalas (Abingdon Press: Nashville, 2003, pp. 42-43)
"I understand the innkeeper. I've learned that so many of us shut God out of our lives, not necessarily because we're hostile to him, but simply because we are 'filled up' with other things. Indeed, that's the tragedy of most of our lives, especially since so much of what fills our lives is trivia. So often persons who have passed through a crucial illness say that at the edge of death, they got a new understanding of what is worth living for. Everything seems to conspire to fill our days with life's transients--and then, when Eternity knocks at the door, seeking a place, we have to report that our rooms are full. You and I are often like the innkeeper: We shut Christ out, not because we hate Him, but because we are preoccupied. In fact, I ponder a quite uneasy thought. The innkeeper never knew, I'm quite sure, that he had just shut out the very Christ; he was simply filled up. And this is just the way some of us go through life--not knowing that Christ has sought admission. We get so occupied with other matters that we don't even recognize the divine inquiry.
And so Christmas comes even to those who aren't seeking it, who don't even particularly want it. It comes to hotels that are filled, to lives that are crowded, to people who are preoccupied. And always, it comes saying, 'I love you. May I come in?'...(several paragraphs omitted) and then, of course, the question comes, just as it did twenty centuries ago: Will we make room for Him?"
We used to laugh in seminary, as he would critique our sermons. He would chose a part of your sermon and say something like, "I like what you did there, but you could also do something like this..." And off he would go, preaching a new sermon--a phoenix rising from the ashes of your old sermon. His impromptu sermons were some of the most beautiful I've ever heard, leaving us breathless and often in tears. It is rare that I have been in the presence of such greatness, but once you've experienced it, you never forget.
Kalas has a collection of books whose titles include the phrase "from the backside": parables from the backside, new testament stories from the backside, old testament stories from the backside, on and on, etc. He likes to take familiar stories and look at them from a new perspective (i.e. "the backside"). One thing I remember most from his class was a concept he often repeated. The idea was that we, as preachers, need to find something unique to say in each sermon. Not something no one in the history of the world had ever thought of before, it just had to be new to us...an "aha moment". That's probably not a bad principle for any public speaker...or really anyone who speaks, ever: Before you talk, make sure you have something to say! In a world of too many words, we were inspired to actually speak with meaning, hope, excitement...speaking as if God is really alive and active and doing someting in the world and in our lives. I try to do that in sermons, to feel like I have something--at least one thing--that needs to be said because of its depth and originality. Some Sundays are better than others, but that is the nature of life, I think!
In reading this book during Advent, there are several things Kalas has brought to light for me, making me think about the Christmas Story in a new way. In one chapter, he discusses the innkeeper (the one who had no room for Mary and Joseph in his establishment that first Christmas Eve). I really liked what Kalas had to say and appreciate what is has meant to me this season, as my heart prepares more room for Christ.
From Christmas From the Backside by J. Ellsworth Kalas (Abingdon Press: Nashville, 2003, pp. 42-43)
"I understand the innkeeper. I've learned that so many of us shut God out of our lives, not necessarily because we're hostile to him, but simply because we are 'filled up' with other things. Indeed, that's the tragedy of most of our lives, especially since so much of what fills our lives is trivia. So often persons who have passed through a crucial illness say that at the edge of death, they got a new understanding of what is worth living for. Everything seems to conspire to fill our days with life's transients--and then, when Eternity knocks at the door, seeking a place, we have to report that our rooms are full. You and I are often like the innkeeper: We shut Christ out, not because we hate Him, but because we are preoccupied. In fact, I ponder a quite uneasy thought. The innkeeper never knew, I'm quite sure, that he had just shut out the very Christ; he was simply filled up. And this is just the way some of us go through life--not knowing that Christ has sought admission. We get so occupied with other matters that we don't even recognize the divine inquiry.
And so Christmas comes even to those who aren't seeking it, who don't even particularly want it. It comes to hotels that are filled, to lives that are crowded, to people who are preoccupied. And always, it comes saying, 'I love you. May I come in?'...(several paragraphs omitted) and then, of course, the question comes, just as it did twenty centuries ago: Will we make room for Him?"
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Elf Yourself
Since posting earlier today, I have learned there are more things one can do besides Scrooge-ing themselves. Apparently, we can also "elf" ourselves.
In the spirit of love, laughter, and celebration, I offer the following link of my own elfing. Hopefully, I will never run for president and come to regret this moment.
Check it out for yourself: Tina's elfing
In the spirit of love, laughter, and celebration, I offer the following link of my own elfing. Hopefully, I will never run for president and come to regret this moment.
Check it out for yourself: Tina's elfing
Dancing Scrooge
I am not really a Scroogey kind of person, but my dad sent me a Scrooge-related link that brightened my day...and I thought I would share...but first, some background...
Apparently, Office Max has developed a way for people to "Scrooge" themselves. Under the "Scrooge Yourself" description, it says: "The holdiays are here and there's entirely too much cheer floating around. Do your part and add a touch of frost to the air this season. Upload a picture of your face, then send your crotchety curmudgeon to a friend". Then you click on a link that says, "Let the Humbug Begin".
Before you think, "How awful to promote grumpiness at Christmas!", you need to click on this link and watch my dad all scrooged-up and dancing around. At the end of the dance, you can make yourself, or someone you love, into a scrooge. I promise it will bring much more cheer than humgug!!!
p.s. Bucher, if you scrooge yourself, send me the link...because that would ROCK!!!
Apparently, Office Max has developed a way for people to "Scrooge" themselves. Under the "Scrooge Yourself" description, it says: "The holdiays are here and there's entirely too much cheer floating around. Do your part and add a touch of frost to the air this season. Upload a picture of your face, then send your crotchety curmudgeon to a friend". Then you click on a link that says, "Let the Humbug Begin".
Before you think, "How awful to promote grumpiness at Christmas!", you need to click on this link and watch my dad all scrooged-up and dancing around. At the end of the dance, you can make yourself, or someone you love, into a scrooge. I promise it will bring much more cheer than humgug!!!
p.s. Bucher, if you scrooge yourself, send me the link...because that would ROCK!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
