November 2007
"What do you want for Christmas?" I’ve been hearing this from my close friends and family for a few weeks. Strangely enough, my answer is simple. "I want to spend time with you, maybe doing something fun or interesting." I never thought I’d say that! My Christmas lists have often been compared to encyclopedias. I’ve never had a shortage of wants.
But quite frankly, I’ve got more stuff than I could ever really use. I spend more time trying to get rid of stuff than accumulating it these days. But there is nothing like the presence of those I love. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of that. Whether it’s going out to eat, taking a short trip, or simply hanging out at the house, I love to be with my friends and family.
Apparently God must feel the same way. (Imagine, me and God feeling the same way!) He could have chosen any means He wanted to communicate His love and His messages to us. But, he chose to send His Son. The present He gave us was His presence.
Throughout the month of December we will be enjoying the best present of Christmas every Sunday together - God’s presence. We will look at how His presence at Christmas changes everything. Maybe you know someone who would benefit from the presence of God this Christmas. If so, invite them to church this Sunday. As a matter of fact, give them the gift of your presence by sitting with them for a worship service. You might find that one Sunday together in the presence of God is the best gift you receive this year.
"Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son." Hebrews 1:1, 2
Immanuel, the presence of God with us!
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don
8 November 2007
Sea Gulls are beautiful birds. They have a noble stature and look beautiful soaring over the water. My nephew, who’s lived near the ocean most of his life, calls seagulls "beach rats." That’s because they have become garbage scavengers in most areas. I remember driving next to the largest landfill in the world on Staten Island seeing thousands of these white birds perched on the mountains of trash. So sad.
Seagulls were not meant to be beach rats. They were meant to hunt small fish and soar above the blue waters of the ocean. But then they started receiving hand outs, free food, from tourists. Before long they learned hand outs are easier than hunting. Now their reputation is for laziness, not soaring.
There is nothing wrong with receiving gifts. But if too much comes free, gifts loose their meaning and the receiver becomes lazy. We, who were meant to soar, start gliding through life constantly looking for a hand out.
Some folks view God this way. If we are saved purely by God’s grace - and we are - then we assume everything with God should be free. It’s not. God wants us to work hard, to study hard, to worship hard, to pursue excellence. He doesn’t want His beautiful creation to be lowered to beggar status by Him simply granting our every wish. To some, prayer is a hand out, a chance to get something that requires effort without the work. Pray that God doesn’t give you everything. Pray that in His wisdom He provides the delicate balance of work and grace that allows you to grow, to mature, to soar.
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10) Note that both God and His "handiwork," that’s us, are involved in "good work."
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don