It may be Happy New Year to you, but to me it is Happy Birthday Cheryl. 
 
Today is my precious wife Cheryl’s ____th birthday.  (I’m smarter than to fill in that blank.) 
  
Let me tell you a little about Cheryl. Cheryl’s greatest desire in life is to give and receive love. She loves doing for other people; giving everything, she has for the benefit of others. At the same time, there is no way I or the boys could ever fill her love quotient, so thankfully, she pours her life into God and others and as a result, others love her greatly. 
  
Cheryl became a Christian as an adult, but because of her intelligence, she quickly grew in her Biblical knowledge. In spite, however, of her usual ability to out-think me, she never second-guesses my decisions and never criticizes me in public.  She never says an unkind word about me to others. (Her friends have often told me that.) I always know she is my greatest supporter. Yet Cheryl is not afraid to challenge me and hold me accountable to being a better person.  She fits the role of a Biblical wife better than any woman I know and she makes the perfect pastor’s wife. I could never do what I do without her encouragement.  Her faith is rock-solid; far greater than mine is at times.  We have taken some huge leaps of faith together as a couple and they would have never happened without her willingness and strength. (Thank you, Cheryl, for always allowing me to pursue my dreams.) 
 
Cheryl is a child of God first and a wife and mother second, but I could never imagine anyone having a stronger instinct and desire to be a wife and mother than she has. The best times of her life are when we are doing something together.  It doesn’t matter what, as long as she is with me.  (I honestly don’t understand that completely, because I am often sarcastic and impatient but I’m glad she feels that way and I want to work to keep that desire in her heart.) The boys and I depend on Cheryl greatly. She keeps our house and lives running efficiently.  Cheryl has been a great mom to our boys, allowing the three of us to behave like boys, even in the house, even when she gets nervous that we are “playing a little rough”.  That has helped produce a home where our boys (and I) love to be. 
 
Today, on her ____th birthday, I want to honor Cheryl for being my wife. She is my best friend, my lover, and my helpmate. I would not want to face life without her. God knew what He was doing (as He always does) when He led me to Cheryl.  I am glad I listened to Him!
 
Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!  I love you!
 
PS. Keep dreaming baby. The best is yet to come!

Some people speak a language they share with the group of people who have a similar lifestyle, occupation or interest.  They use code words, anacronyms and phrases that only those within the group understand. Living in a military town, for example, I often hear a phrase like “he’s with the 82^nd Airborne Division”, which to us civilians means????  Being married to an accountant wife means that having a tax conversation with her involves me knowing certain form numbers such as “W4 and W2”.   We tend to indoctrinate ourselves with the language and culture of the people we hang around, work with, and from whom we learn. 

Here is a short, random list of examples of people who speak a separate language. Feel free to add your own.

Accountants

Military

Physicians

Teachers

Christians

Pastors

Sports fans

Musicians

Techies

Cooks

Here is the reason this issue matters to us. It is perfectly okay and perhaps even necessary to have the language within a defined group of people.  It expedites the process and builds commonality and loyalty, but if we are not careful, we will alienate people outside our “group” who do not understand our language.  If we want to help people understand who Christ is and what He means to us, then we have to realize that not everyone understands what it means to be “growing in the Lord”. 

What phrases can you think of that Christians (or other groups) use that would be hard to understand outside the “group”? 

What is your definition of a team player?  Over the years, I have discovered that not everyone defines “team player” the same.  There appears to be two almost bipolar understandings of the term.  This difference existed when I was in the business world and it continues now that I am in professional ministry work. 

Let me describe the difference:

I have a friend who serves on a church staff.  His pastor describes a team player as someone who follows the rules and never questions authority.  To this pastor, it is a sign of respect if his followers obey him.  They are truly part of the “team” when they comply with the direction he has set for it.  The church rewards team players who do not disrupt the set flow of the organizational structure the pastor has established for the church.  The church punishes those who fail to play as a part of the “team”.    The pastor expects each team member to lead his or her ministry separate from the other players on the team in hopes that the combination of individual efforts will help the entire church reach the goals set by the pastor. 

I define the term “team player” quite differently.  I, too, am a pastor and I lead a team.  I expect that each person on the team is to play a part in helping the church set goals and seeing those goals become reality.  I personally am offended when someone on the team refuses to bring his or her own original ideas for the entire church to the table for discussion or feels his or her input is not welcome. If one member on the team’s ministry struggles, it affects the entire team and it becomes the entire team’s responsibility to help them.  I, too, believe that each team has a leader, who must make final decisions and set ultimate vision for the organization, but I welcome challenge to my authority if done with the intent of helping the church succeed.  Those rewarded most with this definition are those who work hardest to help the entire church, as well as their personal area of responsibility, achieve its goals. 

Which of these real-life scenarios best fit your definition of “team player”?  

While reading Mark 5:1-20 this morning I struggled to find deeper meaning to the story. Jesus healed a demon-possessed man.  I get that, but why did He have to destroy the pigs to do so.  By doing so, the herdsman lost their ability to earn an income.  They lost part, perhaps a large part if not all, of their wealth.  Because I sometimes struggle with practical realism, that does not make complete sense to me. 

Then I read the story closer.  When Jesus sent the demons into the pigs, the herdsman scattered.  Their devastation drove them into the city to tell what had happened.  This brought all the people to Jesus to witness the miracle of the healed man.  Jesus brought glory to Himself and honor to God and helped some people believe that day by His willingness to sacrifice a herd (a large herd) of pigs. 

Therefore, here is my understanding of truth today: Jesus is willing to sacrifice the economy in order to save some souls.  He cares more about people, than even personal finances. (I know that is potentially shocking to many Americans.) 

Is any of that truth applicable to my life (and yours) today? 

It was a slower blog-reading week, but here are a few items that caught my attention this week and caused me to think. 

Burger King launches beef-scented body spray. I guess some women really like steak.  It would seem though like this might work better for women to attract men than for men to attract women. 

From the “give me a break” department, the two white boys accused of plotting to kill President-elect Obama say they want a new grand jury, because there weren’t enough white people on the jury they got.  Read the story here.  Do they not realize that decent moral white people still think it’s wrong to plot to kill? 

Joshua Griffin shares 52 Links Every Youth Worker Needs.  I sent this to our staff, because there is something for everyone here. 

Seth Godin’s point-well-made post this week is a fun but sobering reminder of the importance in planning your future.  Read it HERE.

Finally, Seth Godin’s post listing the most popular posts of the year provides an easy way to glean some quick knowledge or inspiration from one of today’s leading culture gurus.  Read it HERE.   

What did you find interesting this week?

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19 NIV

Most of us have a nativity set sitting around for Christmas. If your nativity set is like most I’ve seen, you no doubt have a few animals sitting around it. There may be a cow or two, a sheep, even a camel if it is a fancy set! Of course, Joseph and Mary placed Jesus in a manger, which is a feeding troth for animals, so there certainly would have been an animal or two close to the scene.  I wonder if the nativity scene were to take place in modern day America if there may be a puppy dog nearby.  (My yorkie dog would have loved the baby Jesus!)

It shouldn’t surprise us that animals may have witnessed the birth of the Christ child. Jesus was the Creator. He was with God from the very beginning, planning each intricate part of Creation. All creation, with the exception of man, naturally glorifies the Creator by unconditional obedience. A cow does as a cow is supposed to do. A camel is a camel is a camel. You don’t have to train a bird to tweet, it does as it was created to do.

The creation waits in eager expectation for God’s Son to be revealed! This was the Creator! This was their Master, the Inventor of life!

I once read a story about a mother who found her nativity scene continually disrupted.  She would enter the room to find all the pieces in one big pile. She would straighten it, only to find it messed up a few hours later. One day she witnessed her daughter piling the pieces together. When questioned, the little girl replied, “Mommy, it’s Christmas! Everyone wants to be real close to Jesus!”

It’s Christmas! Don’t be surprised that the animals were present at Jesus birth! And keep them close in your nativity! Creation is praising its Creator!

And don’t be surprised if you see a smile on a animal or two on Christmas day!

The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said. Luke 2:20

Are you “glorifying and praising God” this Christmas? As we enter yet another Christmas celebration, will you use it to strengthen your trust and passion for God? Christmas was about sending Jesus to live among us so that He could pay the penalty for our sins, but even more than that, Christmas, like everything else God has made, was to give God glory.

Stop for just a moment and think about God. God is so big that He spoke a universe into existence. That same God sacrificed His only Son so that you and I could find our way back to Him. Can you love a God like that? Can you serve a God like that? Does your life and celebration this year reflect the depth of your love?

What could you do this Christmas that would give God glory? Could you extend grace to someone who does not deserve grace? Could you love an unlovable person? Could you forgive someone who has severely wronged you, even though your first desire is not to forgive? Could you share God’s love with someone, even if it is uncomfortable?

Why not give God glory and praise for Christmas this year? He gave us Jesus!

Sunday was an amazing day. I saw some people take next steps in their faith. Since then I’ve continued to hear reports from the day.  We don’t do things like every other church in town.  We reach people other churches do not reach.  (Other churches reach people we cannot reach.)  I am thankful to be a part of such a powerful team.  In three years, meeting in rented space with limited funds at times, God has done incredible things. I’m humbled and grateful. 

Two pictures.  One is our incredible tech and stage team and the other is me trying to make a point.  I think you can tell which is which.  Merry Christmas!  

Now for a little Christmas cheer!  Yes, indeed, Jesus is a friend of mine. I am so glad.  Merry Christmas!

But your iniquities have separated you from your God, your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. Isaiah 59:2 NIV

Why do we need Christmas? Have you ever thought about that question? Probably not! If the truth be known, you, like me, are just so busy “doing” Christmas, and enjoying it to, that you haven’t stopped to consider the reason for the celebration.

Now, I am not talking about the “reason for the season”. You have no doubt seen and heard that. People have been wearing pins with that on it for two weeks and you know that it is to celebrate the birth of a Savior, but why did He need to be born?

Here’s why: (and, please, don’t miss this point this Christmas season) We need Christmas because with out it we are going to Hell! Now you’re thinking, “what does Hell have to do with Christmas?”.

Without Christmas, without the baby in a manger, the virgin birth, the shepherds in the field at night, the presents wrapped, the bills to be paid, the parties to attend, the expanded waistline….okay…you get the idea….without all the neat things that make Christmas what Christmas is, we would be eternally lost. See, all of us are lost, without hope, because we all have sin in our life. We are born into sin and can do nothing to rid ourselves of the sin habit.

God is Holy, as you know, and so He cannot tolerate any sin. None! He will not hear us through our sin and so, if we remain in our sin, we remain forever separated from God.

But then there is Christmas, Praise God! Jesus did come on that dark night some 2000 years ago! He came so that through Him we can be saved, completely forgiven of our sins, and enter the presence of a Holy God!

There is a Christmas! We need Christmas! Thank God for Christmas today!