If that is the case.  If this is indeed what Churches want out of Christmas then we are doing nothing but having glorified birthday parties worldwide.  Think about it. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth in grandeur for sure.  It is the holiday that most businesses BANK on to make bank and get them in the black for the ENTIRE YEAR OF SALES.  Even while the economy is in its worst state in most of our lifetimes, billions…yes billions will be spent on celebrating “the birth of Christ.” I could go on, but this is not my point and this is definitely not the purpose.

I believe we need to go a step forward in celebrating Christmas and the birth of Christ and ask this: “why was Christ born?”  The one word that sums it up, as cliche or simple as it might be, is LOVE.  

Don’t just read over this and think to yourself “I memorized this in 4th grade” because I do it too. But…This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. (john 3:16-18 in the message)

We were missing something. Humanity was dying. Our souls were in darkness and we were wandering aimlessly. The creator of the world saw this and it was breaking his heart.  So, out of love, He did something.  A baby was born, a much anticipated birth, and that baby grew to be a man.  Everyone that man came across had their lives changed because they were loved.  He did things that helped many people see who God was and that God was right there out of  love. It didn’t stop at that. His death and resurrection had eternal implications.

We have to stop celebrating a birthday and celebrate the beginning of a life that changed everything.  Out of THAT celebration we will love others just like Christ did and not even have to try or learn.

The purpose of Christmas: Simply love others because we are loved.

I read some conversations with and letters by Brother Lawrence (an oldschool monk) yesterday and he vowed to make his relationship with God and spirituality in general SIMPLE. Why do we need hour long prayer sessions or lame devotionals to read through? He did everything, even cooking or cleaning the kitchen, with the mindset of working for and talking to God.

It may not be for everyone, but I want to start by simplifying how I talk to God.

Keepin’ it simple.

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CallandResponse Media Piece

After a little bit of discouragement and frustration over the past few days (admist SICK events that went on) I was laying around trying to relax today. I slept in, Jenny woke me up on her break and I got up looking for something that would fulfill my need for some “joy.” I watched a few back episodes of The Office to no avail. I checked my work email, it’s my DAY OFF, again no avail. Read for a class I am taking, more annoying than anything. So I decided to surf.

What I found only sparked something deep within that God will hopefully use in my life and ministry. In an age where we are so technologically connected and globally aware we are so disconnected and blind. Around the world we have 27 million fellow humans, brothers and sisters, young and old whom are being exploited and threatened with violence to work in fields, brothels, factories and many other places without pay. It’s disgusting.

What are we worried about? We are worried about Obama’s experience as a qualification to be president. We are worried about McCain and his age, “will he even live through his term.” We are worried about if our 700 Billion dollars will really be able to help in the stabilization of our economy. We are worried about our savings accounts and retirement funds. What we should be worried about should be contrary to everyone else’s worries. Are they? Absolutely not. 

callandresoponse.com

You really should check this site out. Watch the trailers. See what other people are saying. Go see the doc in your area. The thing is, this isn’t world wide. Some of this is in my “backyard.” Even if it isn’t in yours these are God’s children having everything they have taken away and their lives destroyed for the sake of someone else making a buck.

If you live in Phoenix it will be playing downtown on Nov. 7 and I am going to be going either that night or sometime during the next week. Let me know if you want to join in. 

We need to stop getting so caught up with and worried about things that don’t matter. What matters is that our love for people is how we are known to the rest of the world. Love wins. 

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describes my mood more than love for coffee

coming up hitting on the topic of Purity. What a doozie! My friend Jesse said that in today’s youth culture the blow job has become the hand shake, in saying that purity MUST be addressed.  It must be addressed in a way that will not suffocate our students either.

So many times while I was in junior high AND high school my youth pastor told us not even to DATE! I would be laughed off the stage if I said that to 1000 of our students in a few weeks. That’s not saying I will hold back the truth though.

Anytime I remember Purity being discussed it was done as if we were all perfect, virgins, were blind, didn’t watch TV. When it should have been done in a way that offered grace, redemption, understanding and allowed us to live joyfully not in fear that we are going to hell for seeing a Victoria Secret on TV.

Purity is so much more than just doing the right or wrong things. Purity is more than not looking at porn or not giving blow jobs. Purity is the mind, the body and the heart. Most importantly the heart. We cannot forget that with this tangible, immortal vessel we live in an eternal soul is attached. Not completely sure the meaning of that yet…still working on it.

Life is messy

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