Reflections & Perspectives

It is almost over! In less than 12 hours we will close the book on 2011 and begin a new year. This is the time of the year we reflect on what we have and have not done and make a few resolutions, with the goal of improving our bottom line, our waistline or simply begin anew. 

As I look back over the past 12 months, I must say there have been many changes in our home...

• As 2011 began we were involved in a highly stressful situation that has turned out to be a what I believe an opportunity I would have never considered, but now I believe I have found my "Sweet Spot".
• We have moved from Palm Bay to Kissimmee, with that move has come new challenges and opportunities. 
• As many of you know Jeremiah 15:19 (nlt) is one of my favorite verses. However, Jeremiah 29:11 has become a very meaningful verse for me in 2011. It amazes me how words spoken 2,500 years ago can speak to us today ~ God's word is amazing!
• A good friend of mine has begun his cancer treatment this week. As I watch and his wife deal with cancer, I admire how the two of them walk by faith.
• My new position at Florida Christian College has given me a new perspective on the local church. I have had the privilege to speak in 15 different churches this year on Sunday mornings and have visited 120 churches during the week. I have witnessed different styles of worship and ministry as well as different personality in ministers, and I continue to marvel that after 2,000 years the Kingdom of God continues to move forward.
• I have completed my first year as chairman of the board of directors of Unconditional Love, an outreach to people struggling with HIV and AIDS. This small outreach ministry in Melbourne FL, is having an impact in Brevard County on a very limited budget, yet they are making a difference!
• We found a new church home in Kissimmee and while my schedule does not allow me to be there every week, I am always blessed when I am able to attend. By the way the staff at FCC Kissimmee are doing a great job taking the gospel to Osceola County.

What will 2012 bring? I am not sure, I am just trusting in the words God gave to Jeremiah, knowing He knows what is best for me and He knows what is best for you as well!      

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the church at Englewood Christian in Jacksonville this morning. 
• Ken and Gayle did a wonderful job with the worship this morning, focusing on the "The Name" of Jesus.
• Christmas Eve service was great at ECC as well!
• I had a chance to reconnect with MY youth minister this morning - so good to see you Wayne!
• Spent Christmas day with my mom and dad and two brothers and their families - I am so blessed.
• My mom makes some great mac and cheese and no, does not come out of a blue box! 
• Traveling back to Kissimmee from Jacksonville it seemed like there were a lot of Christmas  Crazies on the road this evening. What happened to the Christmas spirit?
• The Christmas party at my cousin's home was great as well, thanks Greg and Joy for your hospitality, we really enjoyed our time with you guys.
• Enjoyed 3 days and 2 nights Bonnet Creek resort this past week, thanks to the generosity of some good friends, thank you Jim and Faith.
• I have been amazed by the people who have text me this past week with well wishes and thank you's.  I feel like George Bailey!
• I plan to enjoy the next 6 days off!
• College football bowl games really get started this week, I can't wait.
• I got three new books this Christmas season, so it looks like I have some real study time ahead of me.
• In 96 days (March 30), Florida Christian College hosts an evening with John Maxwell at our Imagine Banquet - it is going to be great! 
• Something to Chew on; He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under the tree. ~ Charlotte Carpenter

Responding to Christmas

Christmas is almost here! With just a few shipping days left, people are pouring into the malls trying to purchase those last minute gifts. Families are traveling across the country and the aroma of fresh baked cookies is filling many of our homes, all in anticipation of Christmas day. Christmas day will be here in 4 days! How are you responding to the news Christmas is almost here? Is there joy, panic, anxiety, anticipation? You may respond in a variety of ways, but no one responded more positively than Joseph did when he received the news about the “First Christmas”

 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-24 

Notice how Joseph responded to the “First Christmas” Verse 24 tells us He woke up, He did what the angel had commanded him and he took Mary home to be his wife. Joseph responded by taking action. Joseph refused to passive regarding Christmas.

In the same way, we should be people of action during this Christmas season. Christmas is a time when people are more open to the spiritual side of life than any other time of the year. We have an opportunity to proclaim a message of hope and redemption to our friends and family members. This Christmas we would be wise to respond as Joseph did on that “First Christmas”…

1.    We need to wake up; this is not a time to be lethargic about our Christian walk. There are opportunities all around for each of us to share the good news of Christmas; that will cause great joy for all people, a Savior was born and his name is Jesus.

2.    We should do what the Lord commanded.

James 4:17, anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. What is God placing on your heart this Christmas? Joseph took Mary home to be his wife, this implies action. WHAT ACTION DO YOU NEED TO DO THIS CHRISTMAS?

·         Is there a person you need to talk to about the Lord?

·         Is there a phone call that needs to be made?

·         Is there a relationship you need to mend?

·         Is there a discipline you need to begin?

·         Is there a grudge you need to forgive?

·         Is there a habit you need to forsake?

·         Is there a sin you need to confess?

·         Is there a gift you need to give?

·         Is there a place you should go?

You may be saying to yourself, “This would be too difficult for me” But listen, If a righteous man named Joseph could take Mary home and care for her; even when it did not make sense to him, surely you can take action this Christmas as well.

Christmas is almost here, how will you respond to Christmas?

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts from an Amazing Day...

• Worshiped with the church at River Run Brevard today - Great worship and a great message.
• Dan reminded us the baby in the manger grew up to be the man on the cross who died for our sins, people sometimes forget that baby Jesus in the manger was born to die.
• The only people who enjoyed the first Christmas were the ones who were looking for it!
• Josh W. did an excellent job with worship; especially on Silent Night and Joy, Unspeakable Joy. Good stuff.
• Once again I was humbled by a friends who are facing a trial with amazing faith. I treasure their friendship.
• Question what guides your decision making? Seriously, think about your answer. Attended the River Run Brevard CC presentation of Characters of Christmas tonight, great performance and great message.
• I have been delivering poinsettias to people this week to people around the state and I have been so blessed by their kind words and actions.
• I find it interesting the discussions I am reading regarding having worship services on Christmas Day.
• Something to Chew on; Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts: the gift of God to man - his unspeakable gift of his son Jesus; and the gift of man to God - when we present our bodies as a living sacrifice and, like the Macedonians, first give ourselves to God. No one has kept or can keep Christmas until he has had a part in this two-way transaction. ~ Vance Havner

The Seven Irrevocable Laws of the Christmas Season

1. The time you spend looking a parking space at the mall is inversely proportional to the amount of time you have to spend shopping.
2. The other check-out lines will always moves faster than your line; if you do not believe me, change lines and see what happens.
3. Beware of the three most frightening words of the season; Some Assembly Required. Be aware that an unassembled toy will take three times as long to assemble as the instructions say; Why, because the person who wrote the original instructions is fluent in 3 languages and English is not one of his languages. Remember also, while there will always be at least one missing part, there will always be a few nuts or bolts or washers left over to drive you to frustration.
4. The three most often overlooked words of the season  are – Batteries Not Included. Be aware that toys that require batteries seldom ever come with batteries.
5.  When you return to the store to buy the gift your husband, wife or child showed you the previous day, it is gone and the store will not be receiving any more of the item before groundhog day!
6. If you hear a loud crash in the living room, there is a high probability that your Christmas tree is probably lying on its side. (We once had this happen to us three times in one season until I discovered the tree had a crooked trunk and nailed it to the floor).
7.  If your toilet is ever going to overflow or your kitchen sink become clogged, it will be when everyone (including your mother in law) is at your house celebrating the season.

Merry Christmas!

What is in a Name

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about ~ His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:18-25 

Did you notice Joseph and Mary did not choose a name for their new baby? I have witnessed people choose their baby's name in a variety of ways; some consult books of baby names, others search their genealogy, while others look for unique spellings for the name of their child. Everyone want the perfect name for their child.  Mary and Joesph did not have the opportunity to choose a name. Scripture tells us God named their son for them;  "you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

I can think of four reasons why God chose the name Jesus;

• Jesus is an EASY NAME – it has 5 letters and two syllables, a child may have trouble with his own name – but early on he can say Jesus.
• Jesus is an ENDURING NAME – There is no name better known in the history of the world – the song says it best “Kings and Kingdoms will all pass away but there is something about that name”
• Jesus is an EXALTED NAME – Philippians 2:9-10,   Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
• Jesus is an EXCLUSIVE NAME – When the angel said to Joseph, before the baby was born, you shall call him Jesus, he then added this phrase; for he shall save His people from their sins. Acts 4:12, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

May the name of Jesus be on our minds and our lips as we celebrate this Christmas season.

Sunday Night Reflections

A Few Thoughts From an Amazing Day

• Worshiped with our home church today; First Christian Church Kissimmee.
• Jim did an excellent job with today's message.
• We miss Jesus for two reasons; We refuse to acknowledge him as the Messiah or we refuse to submit to his Lordship.
• Key thought; Those who missed the star missed the joy. That is true for us as well!
• Hey Derrick - we should end each week with Joyful, Joyful; great way to close out our worship.
• After hearing Gary's announcement tonight, I am so impressed with the commitment to stewardship at FCC/Kissimmee.
• If tonight's worship did not move you, you might be dead!
• Confession; I miss preaching at Christmas time!
• I had a great time in Jax. yesterday at our annual family Christmas party. My grandfather passed away in February, so this was the first time the family was together since then - A great time was held by all!
• We are so blessed.
• Something to Chew on; The real contest is always between what you’ve done and what you’re capable of doing. You measure yourself against yourself and nobody else. – Geoffrey Gaberino, Olympic gold medalist

The Indescribable Gift

2 Corinthians 9:15, Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

When the apostle Paul tried to tell others about Jesus, he did not use the words fantastic, awesome, wonderful, great, or incredible. No, he called Jesus the indescribable gift.

                       

For many people, the fast pace and hectic schedule of the holidays causes people to miss the greatest gift of Christmas. In fact, that is exactly what happened the first Christmas – people simply missed the greatest gift!

·         The religious leaders knew all the signs – but they missed it!

·         The people of the marketplaces were full of guests filling up their inns and diners – but they missed the greatest gift – Jesus.

The reason they missed the gift of Christmas – is they simply were looking for the wrong item. They were like many people today…

Looking for security rather than a savior

Looking for a keepsake rather than a king

Looking for the things of this world rather than one to be worshipped

           

My challenge to you is not to miss the gift of Christmas, to insure we do not miss Christmas, we need to make sure we are looking for the right item. Luke 2:4-7 reminds us; Jesus is the best gift of Christmas because of his humility. Too often we are attracted to the glitter and the gold when we look at Christmas presents. Our focus is drawn to the appearance of an item. We tend to overlook the meek and the small items. It is important for us to remember the first Christmas gift came in humility, wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. While all other religions exalt their leader, Christianity focuses on the humility of Jesus Christ, Philippians 2:5-8. You cannot look at a wooden manger and not see a wooden cross.

Not only did he come in humility, he lived and died and conquered the grave in humility as well; for this reason Paul called him the indescribable gift.

Max Lucado writes, “2000 years ago, the all powerful God, the one who specializes in taking what is common and making it spectacular, the all powerful God who took a rod and parted the sea. The all-powerful God who took a pebble and killed a giant, the all-powerful God who spoke the universe into existence, said to his angels, “It is time for me to show them my love and in order to show my love, I am going to have to put aside my power”

He loved us so much that he was willing to become a helpless powerless baby in a manger.

C.S. Lewis said Christmas is when the Son of God became man, so men might become sons of God.  This year I hope you will have or find the indescribable gift of Jesus?

I am dreaming of a right Christmas; part 3

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told.

       

·         How do we respond to the news God has become flesh and dwelled among us?

·         How do we respond to the fact we are free from the bondage of sin?

·         How do we respond to the baby born in a manger, sent to die for our sins and desires to be a part of our lives?

·         How do we respond to Christmas?

Two thousand years ago, the shepherds had the right response! Informed by an angel the savior was born, they had but one response; To seek out the Christ child.

If you are going to have a right Christmas this year, you must have a right response to the news of Christmas. I love how the shepherds responded to the news of our savior’s birth…

The last part of verse 15 reads, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." THE LIVING BIBLE reads; COME ON! LET’S GO! Upon receiving the news there is an air of excitement in the shepherd’s response. The shepherds had the right response because their hearts were right. Having the right heart is essential if there is going to be right response to Christmas. Knowing a savior was born compelled them to go and search for the child in Bethlehem. Though the shepherds could not understand the full meaning of the angel’s message; they understood the need for a savior. Every year they would watch the priest come to their flocks and take the precious lamb to the temple for a sacrifice to cover the sins of Israel.

Now they hear the news, a savior is born. What other response could there be, but to go to Bethlehem?

Most people cannot respond to Christmas correctly because their heart is not right. Yet Jesus came to this world not simply to make our heart’s right but to make us right with God. 

Paul wrote, For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)

The right response to Christmas is to turn one’s heart toward Christ, and receive his righteousness in our lives. The shepherds sought the savior and discovered the one who would one day make them right in the sight of God. This Christmas why not seek out the one who can change your heart, for if you seek Him you will find Him. James reminds us if we draw near to God he will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

Respond to God and you will have a right Christmas!

I am dreaming of a right Christmas; part 2

Christmas is the time when the pace of life truly picks up, there are gifts to buy, homes to decorate, parties to attend, meals to prepare and people to visit. Someone has even coined a phrase for this hurriedness; CHRISTMAS RUSH! Too often in our rush we are so busy DOING CHRISTMAS, we forget to CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS! This is nothing new, for the first Christmas was had a hurried pace as well.

·         Mary discovered she is pregnant and runs to her cousin, Elizabeth’s home to share the news.

·         Caesar Augustus demands a census of the Roman Empire; all citizens are required to return to the city of their birthplace. Suddenly all roads of the Empire are filled with travelers for this census.

·         The Shepherds upon hearing the Angelic Announcement of the birth of the Christ Child “Hurry off” to Bethlehem.

·         Soon the Wisemen see the STAR, and begin a cross-country tip from the east.

·         Herod, full of jealousy and fear, believes Jesus is a threat to his kingdom and issues a decree all boys under the age of 2, living in the vicinity of Bethlehem are to be killed. This causes a time of hurriedness, as parents flee from Bethlehem to escape Herod’s wrath.

As you can see, the Christmas rush is not a symptom of the modern man. However, the Apostle Paul would later write about the first Christmas...

When the right time came, the time God decided on, He sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons. Galatians 4:4-5

Paul said when everything was right, when God’s timetable was set…

·         He chose a little town called Bethlehem

·         A couple known as Joseph and Mary

·         The setting of a  stable

WHY; to save the world.

That was a RIGHT CHRISTMAS

Maybe you feel overwhelmed this Christmas. Maybe your pace is too hurried; Maybe you are so busy DOING CHRISTMAS, you are forgetting to CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

This Christmas instead of getting caught up in the Christmas rush, why not pursue patience and discover the peace that comes when you desire a right Christmas.

When we understanding that God works through his timetable and is faithful to bring about His will, we will find some practical ways to have a RIGHT PACE THIS CHRISTMAS?

1.   Take Inventory of your schedule 

Take some time to think about what you are doing and why are you doing something this Holiday season. Is it really necessary; or are you trying to fulfill someone else’s expectations

Are you so caught up in the pace of Christmas, you feel like you need a pacemaker? Follow the words of the Psalmist “Be still and know I am God”

2.   Prepare for Christmas

Christmas can be a particularly stressful time for everyone. There's the cleaning and the decorating, the relatives and friends to invite, the menus to plan, the cookies and cakes to bake, the gifts to buy and wrap, the children to get dressed! Under these conditions who would not feel stressed? Let me suggest a few practical ways to prepare for Christmas…

·         Before opening, the gifts on Christmas day, read the Christmas story of Luke 2 to your children, help them to slow down and remember it is not about the gifts, but about God. Remember, he who does not have Christmas in his heart, will not find Christmas under a tree.

·         A minister friend of mine in Louisville Kentucky has a family tradition of reading the Christmas cards they receive in the day's mail and praying for the family who sent the card before they eat dinner each night.

·         Maybe your family could stop going your separate ways and spend one hour together worshipping God at a Christmas Eve service. Why not sit together as a family as a reminder God came to earth so we might be part of his family

Determine in your heart not to be overbooked or overwhelmed in setting a right pace this Christmas.

Friends, if we do not have a right pace this Christmas, a Christmas marked with Peace, how can we expect the world to honor the One who brought Peace on Earth 2000 years ago?

I’m dreaming of a right Christmas, a Christmas marked with a Right Pace. In this season that is at times marked with a Christmas rush, let us remember, God was faithful moving at his timetable to bring us a Right Christmas

I'm dreaming of a right Christmas

We all want the perfect Christmas, A Christmas suitable for a Norman Rockwell print, A Christmas that warms our hearts and refreshes our soul. However, this year many people will not have perfect Christmas…

• For some a perfect Christmas is out of reach because of because of their economic condition; debts are mounting up and they wonder is there is a light at the end of the tunnel. A perfect Christmas is nowhere in sight.
• Others are experiencing a strained relationship with family members and the upcoming holidays will be less than perfect as it filled with anxiety.
• Still for others this is the first Christmas without a loved one who has passed on and the holidays just don’t seem the same.

Knowing we will not always have a perfect Christmas – we should strive to have a RIGHT Christmas.

For there to be a right Christmas there must be a right focus. Someone has coined the phrase, “Let’s put Christ back into Christmas”. The truth of the matter it has been awhile since Christ was the focus of Christmas. I recently read an article stating in 1594, Christmas was canceled in the New England Community of Salem, Massachusetts because of “too much frivolity and worldliness”, and was not reestablished in the community for 23 years. Not much has changed in the last 400 years it seems we still have a wrong focus when it comes to the Christmas season.

When it comes to a right Christmas we must understand what Christmas is all about and in Matthew 1:18-25 we get a clue to what makes a right Christmas.

1.   Christmas is about salvation

When God revealed to Joseph via a dream His plan with the simple message; “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 2,000 years ago Jesus came into this world for the purpose of bringing us salvation. Salvation is not found in the latest gift or the perfect decorations rather it is found in Jesus. Some say Jesus is the reason for the season, but truthfully we are the reason for the season, our sins are why Christ had to come to this earth and bring us salvation.

2.   Christmas is about God changing locations

Matthew 1:23, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" which means, "God with us."

Max Lucado writes we sometimes lose the majesty of Christmas in the mundane of the season.

We see the gifts, we enjoy the season, we share with family and friends and we feel a little more generous at this time of the year. But Lucado reminds us, “Let’s not lose the majesty of Christmas; The God who created everything, allowed His son to become a baby.

• The One who had unlimited power, would now allow His son to become powerless in the form of a baby.
• The One who was clothed in majesty, was wrapped in swaddling cloth
• The One, who walked the streets of Heaven, would now be born in a barn.
• The One who had no needs, was now dependant on a young mother

When I realize what Jesus did for me 2,000 years ago, I can take comfort in the knowledge that regardless of my situation, I may not have a perfect Christmas; I can have a right Christmas.

This year I am dreaming of a RIGHT Christmas – a Christmas with the right focus.