It's not what they won't do but what we can do...

Yes I know...we get these types of things all the time and often we simply erase them without much thought. As a matter of that is exactly what I was going to do until I decided to give it a quick glance. What really struck me about the message was that it wasn't about talking about what others can't do but rather challenges us to look at what we can do to effect change. I like that...Let me know what you think.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa's and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember : I LOVE YOU, JESUS

Sharing the joy!

I want to offer a mighty congratulations to Rick M for his success before the Board of Ordained Ministry to become an Elder within the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has worked very hard and is without a doubt called by God to share the Good News of Christ with folks within and beyond the walls of the local church! As I listened to his words I felt a great personal joy within me as well. It was the honor of being invited to share in the moment. It was a great feeling. It got me to thinking about how we share such moments in our lives.

I know there is a difference between boasting and being thankful - one is to point out something we've accomplished to lift ourselves up and the other is to honor God for how God has blessed us. When Rick shared his blessing with me it had the effect of the old "stone in the pond" in that I was able to witness God at work in this world.

Too often I hear boasts by individuals, organizations, and nations that are intended to lift them up or worse yet to put someone down. Not often enough do I hear thanksgiving for what God has done in a person's life that is actually a blessing and benefit to all. What would happen if we changed that? What would happen if we started to share with each other the way that God has blessed our lives?

We've got to be careful because if we put together a list for each day we might soon be competing with others to show that we've been blessed more than they. Do you know what I mean? As I write I also realize that those with whom the person is sharing must also see that the only purpose of the individual is to praise God from whom all blessings flow. It's not exactly what the world often tries to teach us but it is always how God guides us.

48 hours later I still am giving thanks to God that Rick would call and share such a blessing in his life. I've had the opportunity to share the news with others and they also feel blessed to see God at work. In a world that promises great gobs of goodness with chain letters, what if we started sharing our blessings with any and all we met? Don't tell anyone but it's one of the most effective ways for people to get interested in a relationship with God when they see how God is working in the lives of others!

Wow! I didn't anticipate the directions this would take but I guess the blessing that Rick shared with me had even more impact than I thought! Have a great day and remember to share your blessings!

Which Road do you take?

"A professor stood before his class of twenty senior organic biology students about to hand out the final exam."I want to say that it's been a pleasure teaching you this semester. I know you've all worked extremely hard and many of you are off to medical school after summer. So that no one gets their GPA messed up because they might have been celebrating a bit too much this week, anyone who would like to opt out of the final exam today will receive a 'B' for the course."There was much rejoicing in the class as students got up, walked to the front of the class, and took the professor up on his offer. As the last taker left the room, the professor looked out over the handful of remaining students and asked, "Anyone else? This is your last chance." One final student rose up and opted out of the final.The professor closed the door and took attendance of those students remaining. "I'm glad to see you believe in yourself," he said. "You all get 'A's." How many have taken the easy way out?The short road, the easy path, the light load, all lead to lower grades in the school of life."

Fear of the unknown...comfort in the certainty...which road do you take? It's not so much about the final result as it is the experience of getting there. How many times has failure inspired success, built strength, developed determination, and led to an even greater accomplishment. When we follow Christ there are many times when the easy way seems like success. We've got a new person coming to church...our giving is up 4% this year, we sent a team to New Orleans for the first time. Is that what God is challenging us with or are we simply satisfied with what we can see? What if we fail? What if we don't achieve what is visible? Ever think that those failures could open brand new opportunities that could reveal even more powerful examples of God's grace and guidance?

It's not just believing in our selves it's having the faith to trust God that God knows what needs to happen. We are given the Free Will to make choices and we can use it as an excuse not to do something 0r to let go and trust that God is truly present. Part of that trust is realizing that just because things don't go our way doesn't mean that God is not there...it could be that because God is there we are being led to safety and sanctuary. A "B" is a great grade...but...

It's been a week already???

Where did this last week go? I was all excited about getting back to church on November 4th and now it's the 12th and I am wondering where all those days went. Things started out great! I went down to the New England Conference School of Congregational Development "e3" event where I got to spend priceless time with some very good friends. The event was a huge success with over 320 registrants and some very good speakers. I got back home around 5pm on Saturday night and then was up at 5am to get to the church by 6am on the 4th. The worship team told me I only had to short letters to the church based on the 3 points of the Lilly Grant "Remembering the past, celebrating the present, adventuring the future" and then serve Communion, I could certainly handle that.

The two worship services went great (though I think I forgot how to talk on occasion - no comments please!) with Lisa and I serving Communion at both services. Rev. David Svenson, my friend and also District Superintendent attended the second worship service and helped to serve Communion. Immediately after the 2nd service we headed into Fellowship Hall for a wonderful meal prepared by a local caterer. The afternoon was filled with rest and then we headed to a friend's house to watch the Pat's whoop up on the Colts!!!!

At that point things get fuzzy. The first two days were about 14 hours in length and then they shrunk to 8-10 hours. Saturday was supposed to be my day off and I needed 1/2 of it to finish my work. Sunday morning came, I was back in the saddle and it felt good.

What interested me the most was my feeling about having to work on Saturday. Before my leave it would have been a part of my week and I'd take time later, no big deal. However, on Friday night, when I realized I was going to have to work on Saturday I got angry. That's a good thing for me!

Why? Because I have come to truly value my rest time. During the leave I came to enjoy the time I spent with my wife and having time completely away from work. I came to realize that putting down work and picking up the other parts of my life is good overall for my mental and physical health. I believe that when God rested on the 7th day it wasn't because the work was done but because God needed a break. Even though God is God, taking time away from the work of the day, the work of creation, or the work of anything else can give us a clearer perspective on that which is before us.

This past weekend I had the honor of working with a couple of friends as we put new brakes on one of our cars. At one point when things weren't fitting as they should, my friend got up and walked away for a few moments to collect his thoughts. He shortly returned and though things didn't fall immediately into place, he was more relaxed and open to other ideas. (I guess I must confess the rest of the story in that as the two of us got a little frustrated, the other friend came over, figured it, out and had the work done in very short order...We laughed about it, what more could we do? Besides, the third friend proved that sometimes a fresh set of eyes can change the view for everyone!)

It is vital that we take time off from our work. Whether we are ministers or teachers or doctors or home supervisors (is that the new word for those who work 80 hours at home without pay?) or custodians or factory workers, we must take time off. We must also guard it with great importance or it will be taken away from us.

I realize that it wasn't what happened on Friday afternoon that made me have to work on Saturday, because what I accomplished on that day was God's work indeed, but rather the planning for the whole week. We don't need to get so structured that we don't have time for spontaneity, but so we do need to make sure we consider our time of rest and renewal as important as the work we do.

We've only got one shot at this life on earth so it's important that we prioritize what we can acomplish and experience. How can we experience heaven on earth if we don't take time to care for ourselves and to spend time with those whom we love including God, family, and friends.

Oh well, it's Monday morning and I've got meetings until 9pm... But my day off is coming up!