Out the Door

The Nativity Story

Julie & I finally got to see The Nativity Story last week.  We both thought it was well done.  As expected it wasn't word for word from the gospel accounts, but it followed the story-line well enough that we didn't feel like it corrupted the gospel in any way.

The actors did an excellent job of bringing to life the emotions that must have been felt by Mary, Joseph and the other characters.  I especially appreciated the silent response from Joseph when Mary returned from visiting Elizabeth now obviously pregnant.

Julie's favorite line in the film came when Joseph & Mary were leaving Nazareth on their way to Bethlehem.  Their Nazarene neighbors watched them leave with ridiculing looks.  Joseph gives Mary a sly smile and says, "They're going to miss us."  How often do people look down on others without knowing the whole story.

What I took away from the film was a new appreciation for the hatred the Jews felt toward the tax collectors.  After seeing how the tax collectors treated the people, which I think was accurately depicted, the fact that Jesus was criticized for associating with such people is understandable.  And that Jesus would have one of them, Matthew, as a disciple must have been scandalous.

There were several places during the movie when I got goosebumps and was really moved spiritually.  It's a film that every Christian and non-Christian should see.

Share Your Journey

I saw the new Igniting Ministries commercial for the first time this morning.  It caught my attention.  I was curious about what exactly was being advertised.  It was a surprise to see that all the various paths were leading to the United Methodist Church.  At least that was implied, though never directly stated.

The slogan "Find your path and share your journey," sounds very seeker sensitive.  And I will admit that I can get cynical over much that comes out of Nashville, but I wonder, where is this path supposed to lead?  I love the idea and image of sharing your journey, but I would like to have some rough idea where this path going to end up. 

This is another example inclusiveness run wild within the United Methodist Church.  If a Hindu who believes he has found his path and wants to share his journey with United Methodists, is there any expectation that he will eventually see that he is on the wrong path?  Of course, for some there is no wrong path. 

John Wesley said, "Offer them Christ."  All this new ad is doing is offering them companionship.  Could not God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at least get a passing glance?  And while companionship is great, it doesn't have the power to transform lives like Jesus does. 

The Mormons have broadcast some of the most effective religious commercials over the years and they make no bones about what they are offering.  What they are "selling" is a way to meet life's problems with the guidance of their "holy" book.  They are growing by leaps and bounds. 

All the while, we United Methodists are content to help people find their path and share their journey.  Whether or not they find Christ along the way doesn't seem to be much of a concern.

Can't let go of this tradition

Last Sunday we hosted our annual Christmas Open House at the parsonage.  Every year for more than 20 Christmases, we've open the doors to our home and invited our congregation to join us for some "Christmas Cheer."  The Methodist kind that is. 

This year Julie & I thought about not having one.  Instead, we would give the money we spend on refreshments, decorations and the like to our Christmas Miracle mission offering.  I mentioned our intentions to a couple of people, who immediately expressed their disappointment.  They enjoyed coming to our house and visiting with folks in an informal gathering. 

So I thought, well okay, we'll have an open house but we'll just serve coffee & cider.  That way people can still enjoy an afternoon of fellowship and we won't spend all the money on all the other stuff.  Julie rebelled against that idea.  Her premise was that wasn't how she was raised.  When you invite someone in for coffee, you have to give them something to snack on.  Nothing like good ol' Iowa hospitality. 

She also had talked to our son, Josh who likewise was opposed to changing this tradition.  According to him, we only have two traditions in our family and that's one of them.  He might have exaggerated things a bit, but it is true we don't have many family traditions.

So as it ended up, when people stopped by they were greeted with a table full of various cookies, candy and other snacks.  And a good time was had by all. 

I'm glad we went ahead and stuck to our tradition.  It probably won't have seemed like Christmas without it.  God has richly blessed us and it's a joy to share those blessing with the people who make it possible for me to be in ministry.

Help me remember, Lord

Greg Hazelrig's Prayer for the Week, made me stop and think.  It's a prayer I need to pray everyday is one form or another. 

I'm a Christian/I'm a Christ-Follower PC - Mac Parody

Brian Wells posted these YouTube videos at Church Media Network.  I thought they were quite humorous, but was a bit hesitant to post them.  They exaggerate the way things really are and must be taken in that light.  I certainly don't condone making oneself out to be morally or spiritually superior to others. 

Jesus warned us about doing that in the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.  Both went to the Temple to pray.  The Pharisee thanked God he was superior to "sinners" like the Tax Collector, while the Tax Collector, the hero of the story, was humbly confessing his sins.  It's the easiest thing for us to pray, "Dear God, I'm glad I'm not like this Pharisee, who looks down on people."  And in so doing become just like the Pharisee.

Still, these videos will probably step on the toes of some people.  So if you're easily offended or have trouble laughing at yourself, please don't watch them.

The New Atheism, Rants & Raves

Early in November, I wrote about a Wired magazines article on The New Atheism.  I found the article so interesting that I wrote a letter to the editor.  I heard from Wired today, saying that they received more responses to this report than any other ever.  So out of fairness they decided to post them all on their Rants & Raves pages.  I started to read them, but stopped after about a half hour, having only made it though about 1/3 of all the responses.

I did look for my letter in order to see if it generated any comments.  It did, so far from two atheist and one Christian. 

I hope to get back to Wired soon to read more of the letters.  They are very eye opening for me as a pastor.  If we're going to share Christ effectively then we must understand where people are at.  Just like Paul in Athens, who started by acknowledging the Athenians beliefs and then leading the conversation to Christ, so we must acknowledge an individual's worldview before the message of Jesus can be shared in ways that will open their hearts to God's grace.

Pride and self-congratulations

I've never had the delusion that my blog would be wildly popular within the Methodoblogsphere.  I'm not nearly as profound as revmommy, or as witty as John the Methodist, or as in tune as Beth Quick or as emergent as Gavin Richardson.  I don't have what it takes to be like one of the many other UM bloggers who draw crowds of people to their site everyday.

So I have to admit that I thought it was pretty cool when my site counter topped 10,000 hits a couple of days ago.  I've been around for longer than the majority of Methodist bloggers, I've been writing for more than a year and a half.  That indicates the explosive growth of the Methodoblogsphere.

Anyway, here's my question for today.  At what point do we cross the line between feeling positive about our accomplishments (which is a good thing) and becoming prideful (which is a bad thing)?  Is it okay for me to be happy that I've reached this milestone, but I should keep it to myself?  Is that where the difference lies?  Jesus said that when we do good we are not to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3).  Jesus also said to let our light shine before people so that they see the good we do and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16).

To say that the difference is simply found in whether or not we're trying to glorify God or self, seems too easy of an answer to me.  I'm not so self-aware that I can always tell whether I'm doing something for God or for myself.  I'd like to think that what I do I do for God, but I know that as a human being I am not always motivated by godly intentions.  I also know I have a profound capacity to persuade myself that I have only God's interest in mind. 

What I find myself doing as I think about these 10,000 hits, is raising one hand in praise to God, while patting myself on the back with the other.  And somehow I just don't think that's the right response.   

Christmas Letter from Jesus

Tim Eason over at Church Media Network (which if you're into media is a must visit site) posted this Christmas letter from Jesus.  I thought it was definitely worth passing along. 

A Letter From Jesus Christ, concerning His birthday celebration.

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 and may 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 forgot 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. Also, you might consider supporting the local
Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

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. You may already know someone like that.

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 (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, 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.

P.S. 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

Newly elected congressman wants to swear on the Koran

Dennis Prager, a columnist for Townhall.com is up in arms because "Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim elected to the United States congress, has announced that he will not take his oath of office on the Bible, but on the bible of Islam, the Koran.  He should not be allowed to do so -- not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American civilization."

I won't go into all of Prager's arguments here, you can read the article if you're interested.  However, I will disagree with him.  Prager, who is a Jew, makes the same fatal mistake that many Ameican Jews and Christians make.  They have a flawed perception of U.S. culture.  Prager and those who believe Congressman Ellison should be force to swear on the Bible believe that America is a Judeo-Christian nation.  While there is no doubt that much of our civilization is founded upon Biblical ideas, practicing Christians and Jews have never been a majority within America.  And though committed Christians and Jews have always been a minority, they have been a very influential minority.  That influence is waining quickly in the 21st century.

Personally, I see this as a good thing.  American Christianity has been too closely tied to American civilization and as a result has lost much of it's Kingdom of God power.  For many Americans the claim to be a Jew or a Christian is simply a matter of culture and heredity and has little to do with they way they live their lives. 

Perhaps, Ellison's swearing in on the Koran, if that indeed is what happens, will be a wake up call to faithful Christians and Jews across America, that it can no longer be assumed that the U.S. is a Judeo-Christian nation and these faithful people will see the need to build the Kingdom of God without concern American civilization.  Which is, after all, a temporary, earthly thing.