I know that December 25th isn't Jesus real birthday. There are obviously some issues with the "Christmas Story" in the gospels. But, there is one thing that I am really happy about. I am happy that Jesus came to earth.
You see, as stupid as it sounds, I still believe that Jesus is, was, and always be God. And this God himself became a man and lived a sinless life, just to die for me. He did all this to remove the guilt of sin from my soul, and to open the way for us to be in relationship.
That sounds pretty "out there." But, I was just reading about the fact that there are billions of galaxies, each made up of billions of stars. Here I sit, a 6 foot piece of breathing dirt who cannot fathom the enormity of THIS galaxy, not to speak of BILLIONS of them. Who am I to say that the living power behind this enormous existence couldn't do what I consider impossible and crazy.
So, when I look at the lady behind the counter and say "Merry Christmas" she probably won't understand the musings that inspire that statement. But maybe, if I include a sincere smile, she will encounter some of the love of the God that the statement represents.
And, that is what I hope you experience when you read these words: Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Respect
We are a culture without respect.
If you listen to people talk, they don't treat any authority figures with respect. Someone recently joked with me using the words of the Pledge of Allegiance, saying that they want it to be "one nation under ME."
Unfortunately, that is how I see our culture. Everything is about what is best for ME. So, when authority challenges our momentary pleasure, we wind up ignoring or attacking the authority.
This cultural lack of respect is killing us. We live our lives without listening to the wisdom of an older generation. When someone tells us we are wrong, we reject them immediately, and rebel against their authority.
Consider now, the stark contrast to this in the life of Jesus. In Luke 2, we read a story about Jesus being in the temple. His parents were looking for him. But, at the temple, Jesus had found his life's purpose and calling. He knew he had to be about His Father's business. Yet, when his parents confronted him, he WENT WITH THEM AND WAS OBEDIENT TO THEM.
What would our culture look like if we stopped asking WWJD and started DOING what Jesus did? What authority figure would you start listening and submitting to?
If you listen to people talk, they don't treat any authority figures with respect. Someone recently joked with me using the words of the Pledge of Allegiance, saying that they want it to be "one nation under ME."
Unfortunately, that is how I see our culture. Everything is about what is best for ME. So, when authority challenges our momentary pleasure, we wind up ignoring or attacking the authority.
This cultural lack of respect is killing us. We live our lives without listening to the wisdom of an older generation. When someone tells us we are wrong, we reject them immediately, and rebel against their authority.
Consider now, the stark contrast to this in the life of Jesus. In Luke 2, we read a story about Jesus being in the temple. His parents were looking for him. But, at the temple, Jesus had found his life's purpose and calling. He knew he had to be about His Father's business. Yet, when his parents confronted him, he WENT WITH THEM AND WAS OBEDIENT TO THEM.
What would our culture look like if we stopped asking WWJD and started DOING what Jesus did? What authority figure would you start listening and submitting to?
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