December 2007
December 19, 2007
We live in an age of spectators don’t we? Huge stadiums are filled to capacity with spectators. Television sets are surrounded with spectators. Movie theaters seat millions of spectators. Many churches are filled with spectators. I confess, I’m one of those millions. I think it’s okay to be a spectator sometimes. In fact, it’s not possible not to be in that position much of the time.
But there can be some really negative characteristics of spectators. Spectators can be very judgmental. They constantly hold court about what they’re watching. Spectators can be envious. If the spectator believes the object of its vision is living a better, more exciting or more fulfilling life, they use the person as inspiration, or just as often, they envy what they possess. Spectators are often fickle. If the object is winning, the spectator cheers them on, if they’re losing, the spectator is prone to throw stones.
I’m afraid we take this "spectator" thing too far sometimes. Sometimes we watch when we ought to be involved, we sit when we should be standing, we talk when we should be acting. Sometimes a spectator’s life is characterized more by re-action than pro-action.
Oswald Chambers put it this way, "No individual has any right to be a spectator of others; such a person ceases to be in touch with reality."
Aren’t you glad God is not a spectator? The birth of Jesus proves that, no matter what you may think about God, He is anything but a spectator. He couldn’t help but be involved, getting dirty, taking His blows, being part of the fray. He wanted to talk to us personally, "in the flesh." He wanted to show us how to live firsthand, not just from a book. God is no spectator.
Seems to me that Christmas is not the time to be a spectator. It’s time to be involved in other lives; listening, helping, sharing, giving, encouraging, strengthening, sacrificing, teaching, praying.
I think Jesus did okay with His life here. He only lived to be about 33 and only went public for about three years. Yet, millions of people follow Him 2,000 years later. Jesus didn’t do this sitting in heaven as a spectator. He got involved. He still gets involved. Maybe we would do well to get involved. You’ll have to figure out what that means for you, but I’m confident you will this Christmas.
By the way what are you up to the first day of the New Year?
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don
13 December 2007
I had the pleasure of introducing two people to Charlie "Tremendous" Jones this week at his tiny bookstore in Mechanicsburg. It’s always such a treat to watch Charlie give the guys a huge hug and the ladies receive a kiss on the hand. Recipients are always surprised by Charlie’s trademark greeting.
Our Youth Pastor, Mike, simply couldn’t believe how many good books, especially on leadership and spiritual formation, Executive Books stocks. Even more, he couldn’t believe the more than reasonable prices. But mostly, like everyone, he and my sister-in-law Julie were amazed by Charlie himself - smart bow tie, white shirt, black vest, patch on one eye, and booming, warm voice.
Charlie "Tremendous" Jones is truly unique. He was raised in a poor family and did not become a Christian until he was an adult. He became a highly successful insurance salesman and ultimately a nationally known motivational speaker. Charlie was instrumental in helping numerous "high level" people come to know Christ. It’s not unusual to hear of a phone conversation he was just having with Ken Blanchard or Zig Ziglar. Charlie may have influenced more people towards Jesus than probably anyone I know. He is a mentor to hundreds of men, some of whom gather with him weekly simply to read Scripture, hymns, and great devotional literature. It amazes me that business executives and owners of companies seek his counsel and the chance to read the Bible out loud with their comrades.
All of this activity is based in The Executive Book store across from Eberly Lumber in Mechanicsburg. Now you must be thinking, "This must be some fancy store." You would be wrong about that. It’s a hole in the wall! You wouldn’t even notice the store if someone didn’t tell you it was there. The outside is covered with old wood siding and the sign is about two feet square. The inside is a cluttered conglomeration of every conceivable leadership book piled on old shelves and sometimes in the isles. It’s like something you would read about in a C.S. Lewis tale.
So why am I telling you all this stuff? Is Charlie paying me? Nope. It just always amazes me how such incredible stuff happens from the most unlikely places and with the most humble of people. This most unique person has affected millions of people operating out of a tiny shop in a very small town in a not so famous area of the country. I’m one of those millions and very grateful for the opportunity to receive his hugs . . . and wisdom.
Reminds me of a baby born in animal shelter, in a tiny backwater town, to a very young woman and a humble carpenter. It is amazing what happens in such non-descript places through such average people.
Maybe you’re an average person, working an average job, in an average place. I wouldn’t discount how God might use you to affect the world. He seems to enjoy using hole in the wall places and everyday people to make a huge difference in the world.
"Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong; He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1:26, 29
So if you would like to meet a world changer, stop in Executive Books. Ask for Charlie and tell him Pastor Don sent you.
Sharing the Journey,
Pastor Don