“I’ll Take ‘Fear’ for 1000, Art”

Being ‘Pampered’ by the Pole

Standing still and staring straight up, I scratched the back of my neck. About a dozen guys stood behind me muttering the same question. “What is this thing?” A feminine voice approaching from a distance answered, “That’s the Pamper Pole.”

We were at our Church’s annual Men’s Weekend Retreat. This new retreat venue had a ropes course. Part of, but separate from the course, was this event that was affectionately called the ‘Pamper Pole”. Don’t be fooled by the name. This event was not a day at the spa being pampered. I assume that the name was derived from the possibility that when you do the event, the fear may be so great that you might wet yourself and thus the possible need for a diaper.

It is comprised of a 40-foot telephone pole that stood isolated and therefore appeared much taller. Handholds going up led to a tiny platform on top that was only slightly bigger than the circumference of the pole.

The only girl staff to be found in Men’s Weekend came up and handed me the rigging saying, “Here, you’ll show them how it works.” Great! – Not!

As I began to put on the harness vest I asked, “Can you give me a quick idea of what I’m doing?”

“Sure. You climb to the top, stand up and dive off trying to hit the Frisbee dangling about 10 feet away from the top of the pole.” I looked up and thought, I don’t want to do this! Why? Because, I was filled with fear. I would be needlessly putting my life in Jeopardy – not just danger but “Grave” danger. (I can hear Jack Nicholson’s voice from A FEW GOOD MEN, “Is there any other kind of danger?”)

Now, the reality is, that the harness had a thick safety rope attached to it with the other end of the long rope going up to a tackle high above and down tethered to a block where the girl stood to catch my weight when I fell. (So reassuring as she looked all of about 75 lbs)

When I grabbed the first handhold it confirmed what I already knew, I really didn’t want to do this!

A memory of an incident as a 10-year-old grabbing onto the handles of a monorail ride that ended with me waking up in the hospital flashed through my mind. But, I decided to just face my fear. I began to climb, not looking down. I reached the top and looked back down. It appeared to be more like 100 feet. The idea of now struggling to manipulate my body up over this little platform and then force my way up to a standing position was terrifying. I decided I was going to bail out.

But, when I looked back down and there was this teenage girl who had probably done this dozens of times. My ego kicked in. I just didn’t want to embarrass myself in front of the only girl in the place. I know – pretty pathetic. So, through weak, wobbly knees I pulled and twisted and turned until I got my feet on the platform. I slowly stood up as my quaking legs shook the entire pole. I did it!

Still, I kept telling myself, I really don’t want to do this. If I could’ve figured out a way to climb back down that was less dangerous, I would have. Could I finish it? 40 feet up and just diving off into nothing? Everything in my being said not to do it. But, really, there was no other safer way down.

It was strange. There was something about the consuming ‘fear’ that caused the knowledge of the truth that I was safely secured to something to vanish. Each step along this journey I had to keep reminding myself that I was tethered – reminding myself that if the rope had failed before, this event wouldn’t be here. (BTW – I don’t know why, but the event is no longer there.)

I stood, rigid, on top of the pole. I said a quick prayer and was totally prepared to meet my maker. I sincerely had a “this is it” feeling of resignation.

I dove off and made a half-hearted swipe at the Frisbee as I closed my eyes. Now, falling laying horizontal to the ground I knew it would be quick with little pain.

But then the rope caught. I opened my eyes and found myself dangling while being slowly lowered to the ground.

Hmmm? That wasn’t so bad.

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Fear of Circumstance or Fear of Jesus?

As a part of a study in the Gospel of Luke I encountered 2 episodes in Luke Chapter 8:22-39 where Jesus displays unearthly power by miraculously overcoming great (grave) danger. The first, by calming a sudden and fierce storm that was certain to destroy them, and second by driving away a legion of demons occupying a man, filling him with rage and super-human strength. Both very scary scenarios.

Many Bible scholars agree that both were attempts by Satan to use his power through the physical realm and then through the spiritual realm to destroy Jesus along with His ministry and mission. Jesus easily dispatched both attempts with a yawn and a wave of His hand. The ease and power with which Jesus performs these miracles is not what strikes me most from the story – after all that’s what Jesus does.

What struck me most was the “fear” ascribed to the disciples and then to the townspeople. The different Greek words that the writers used to describe the fear found in the Gospel of Luke and the other Synoptic Gospel versions.

Luke uses the Greek word Kinduneuo – ‘Jeopardy’ or ‘grave danger’ to describe the boat in the storm. Here, he sets the stage that what was happening was something to be genuinely afraid of.

There is a final scene in the movie The Perfect Storm that captures what I would consider one of the most frightening of circumstances. In the film, much like the scene set in Luke 8 a fishing trawler is besieged by a huge storm generating mammoth waves. The boat is flipped over and driven to the bottom of the deepest ocean with all trapped inside – all except for 1. The one sailor escapes to be left helplessly bobbing in the raging sea with no hope for survival. To me that is scary stuff.

In the storm, what were the disciples afraid of? Dying? Drowning? Unknown and unexpected dangers below the surface? Their world suddenly spinning out of control? A tragic ending? The realization that who they had put their faith and trust in was not going to prove to be trustworthy?

The disciples had done all that they could to rescue themselves. Finally, they cried out to the sleeping Jesus and say they are Apollumi – ‘drowning or perishing.’ The word conveys that their fears are real and that they really are in the process of being destroyed.

Jesus gets up bleary eyed, shaking his head. He waves his hand at the storm and basically says, “Stop already.” And the storm immediately stops. Maybe you can hear the irritation in his voice when he then turns to his disciples and says, “Where is your faith?” or “How small is your faith?” before climbing back onto his comfy pillow.

Can you hear the irritation and disappointment? How many times have I heard that echo in my head when my faith has proven to be so weak? But, hold on. Let’s take a closer look at what Jesus said and why.

Didn’t the disciples do what we as Christians are instructed to do? Why were they chastised? They were experiencing very real danger – the sudden storms of life. They believed they were going to die. What did they do? They cried out to Jesus – the miracle worker and asked him to save them. Sounds like something we, as Christ-followers are encouraged to do and yet Jesus seems to be is acting as though they did something wrong. Did they?

Continue reading →

Exploring Prayer I Class held at Black Rock Church in Fairfield on 1/27/2019.

You’ll find the notes by clicking on the SUNDAY STUDY NOTES tab above.

Be Blessed

Saturday Morning Men’s Prayer Report – SM²P

“Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower – bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color. Mountain glories of Lebanon – a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon – gifts. God’s resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic. Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!” Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly.” Isaiah 35:1-7 The Message Bible

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I had been away, hibernating in Vermont through the holidays. It was wonderful but at the same time there was a growing feeling of disconnect. Disconnect with regular routines, family, friends, brethren. I did not have a real reason to come back home for another few days but there was something calling me to come home.

I came back to get caught up on things. The next day was Saturday so I decided to get up early and go to the Saturday Morning Men’s Prayer meeting at our church. That would be followed by the Saturday morning Dad’s ministry meeting. Both are ministries I love to support.

The next morning about half way through another sweet time with the Holy Spirit flowing through praying men, I exited to join the Dad’s ministry. Heading from the Prayer Room I noticed a lone figure standing in a distant corner of the Church foyer.

My eyesight isn’t what it used to be so I couldn’t make out who it was. I waved and the person waved back. Normally, I set my plans and that’s what I do – it was time to go to the Dad’s breakfast. I was going to just keep going but there was something in the person’s wave. It wasn’t a “Hi, I’m excited to see you” wave but more of a swipe of the hand saying, “I’m in no mood. Keep going.”

In spite of my impulse to go to the Dad’s breakfast (after all the food was getting cold), something (or someone) told me I should engage this person. I turned and headed over to realize it was actually a good friend/spiritual brother of mine. He was just shaking his head with a painful look on his face. I asked, “Dave, what’s going on?” He couldn’t hold back and all the sadness, disappointment and despair poured out of him.

Dave D is a guy who’s seen God do miracles in his life and intervene to saved his marriage and family. He has been dedicated to serving others in real tangible ways while never looking for recognition and accolades. But, today was his birthday. He and his “wingman” Keith had just cooked breakfast for 50 guys with no other help and no one coming into the kitchen to even say “Hi” or acknowledge them. Another year had just clicked by and feelings of being unappreciated, used and abused had taken over.

Much of what he shared I could relate to. As Christian men, we aren’t supposed to expect to be appreciated. Service for the Lord should be enough, right? But, sometimes it just isn’t. Sometimes, even in a large congregation we can feel like we are all alone.

Just before I saw him, he was on his way to walk out the door saying, “Forget this.” The Holy Spirit prodded me to intercept him. After he shared what was going on, my first impulse was to console him. But, God had a better plan. I asked, “How about we go into the Prayer Room? God’s got something in store for you there.” Dave agreed to go in.

What I love about this is that I had COMPLETE confidence that God would speak to Dave through the men still in the Prayer Room. There are few spiritual matters that I don’t have at least a hint of uncertainty and doubt as to what may happen. Not in this room – not with these men.

I brought Dave in, introduced him and asked if they could pray for Dave D. The guys -Dan, DB, Pete, Dave, Dennis, Hal and others gracefully allowed us to interrupt their prayers, immediately recognizing the Holy Spirit’s leading. I shared some of what was going on with Dave and he filled in the gaps.

The guys jumped right in. One after another prayed over Dave and shared what God was giving them for Dave – words of affirmation, comfort and hope.  They shared scriptures about God’s love and joy for Dave and specifics about what God has in store for him. I looked over at Dave and he was like the dried sponge spiritually soaking up the living water – stretching and expanding him back to spiritual vitality and life. The streams of living water were reviving the parched desert. The guys concluded their prayers and Dave was a new man.

I suggested we go in to catch the end of the Dad’s Breakfast. Our Pastor G was sharing and as soon as we sat down the Holy Spirit continued to minister to Dave through the Pastor’s concluding remarks. Finally, to Dave’s total annoyance, I announced it was his birthday and the men sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday with guys coming up to him to express their appreciation for Dave and all he does. He was totally embarrassed but, God now had the chance to tangibly show His appreciation for Dave through these men.

It’s a difficult thing to do – to “ask” for appreciation. How hard is that? We simply want to just be appreciated. Still, the onus is somewhat on us to establish relationship within the community where we can honestly express and talk/pray through our feelings. If we are not willing to do that we are not being fair to ourselves and to the community – not giving the community a chance to “love one another.”

Of all the “commands” spoken by Jesus in the Gospels, I believe that this is His one actual Commandment as written in John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Paul writes in Ephesians 4 that we should “bear” with one another in love. That doesn’t just mean that we are “puting up with” or simply accommodating one another, or even appreciating one another, but lifting each other to an exalted place and celebrating each other’s uniqueness in Christ.

I believe that the men in the Prayer Room with Dave D were living out the instructions from James 5:16, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

This is Loving one another with Love like a River of Living Water.

 

“Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do,forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14

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About a month ago my wife and I attended a wonderful inaugural service for a church-plant in a particularly challenging city in New England. My son has come on staff at Vox Church – a youthful, vibrant and growing inner-city, multi-site church that assigned him to lead this task as Campus Pastor. We went to be a part of it.

Our son also invited our mutual neighbors with whom he has become close friends. About 6 months earlier this couple went through a devastating experience. One of those “how can a good God let such a thing happen” experiences. After going full pregnancy with their baby girl, they experienced the tragedy of an intra-uterine fetal death – delivering their baby who had died just the day before in the womb.

The trauma of birth, the crushing disappoint and then to have to bury the child they never had a chance to even meet. Our hearts broke for their devastation.

While in the hospital the only one they could think of to call was our son. He showed up and oozed God’s love upon them.

Now, six months later, this couple was attending the first evangelical service they’d ever been to in support of our son.

They were happy to find us – familiar faces in the large auditorium. As they sat down I felt myself being transported back to the first Christian concert/event I ever attended. Memories of that evening flooded my senses – the surge of awkward confusion mixed with tingling excitement sensing that some spiritual reality was being birthed. The heart-pounding challenge to come forward to make a lifetime commitment. Then the sweet surrender. Was this going to be that night for them?

The evening began with a powerful worship set. I tried to stay in the moment, to focus on worshipping God but I couldn’t help but have my focus on what this couple was experiencing. This was probably their first introduction to contemporary Christian worship music – of the louder and edgier variety. Was it too loud? Were the words too religious – too repetitive. Was this kind of music something they would enjoy? Were they getting tired for standing so long? I kept resisting the temptation to check in with them to reassure them if they were experiencing any discomfort. I was actually relieved when the music ended and they could finally sit down.

I had to remind myself that this was not about their comfort but about ushering in the Holy Spirit – the almighty surgeon to come and do his deep healing and restorative work. (Jesus declared in Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” The Machaira – a knife used for cutting of flesh as for the crude surgery of the day)

Our son came forward and provided a welcome and introductions. We were beaming. I looked over and our neighbors were also beaming – excited to see their friend and neighbor doing what he does.

Then the Senior Pastor came out and shared some prophetic words and words of knowledge for those in the crowd – for people hurting and needing healing. I love this stuff but I found myself growing anxious. How would our neighbors take this? Was it too weird? I tried to gauge if any of the words were targeted for their wounded-ness? Not so much.

The pastor then preached from one of my favorite sections of scripture in Philippians 3. At the end of the service the pastor shared a story about enduring through trials. He called out to no one in particular, “You have been going through a hardship as never before. God will reward you as you press forward.” Hmmm?

The service ended and people started connecting with one another or drifting out of the auditorium. Our neighbors left their seats and stood silently in the isle. I awkwardly brushed off a few friends in order to be with our  neighbors to gauge where they were at. Were they confused? Overwhelmed? upset? turned off? Stunned? I asked. “So, What did you think?”

They looked at each other with a bit of a blank look and agreed, saying the proverbial, “It was great.”

I could have left it at that but I was prompted to push a bit asking, “Was there anything that really spoke to you?”

They, once again, knowingly looked at each other and nodded but this time with certainty both said, “Oh yeah!” The wife then added, “Tomorrow is a big day.” With that, the dam broke and they both burst into tears.

I kind of freaked. My mind began to race. Tomorrow? What’s tomorrow? Oh no, is it some anniversary of their tragic loss? I was struck dumb. I frantically waved to Eleni to come join us. She saw the emotion and asked “What’s going on?”

Our neighbor blurted out. “We are pregnant and we are having tests tomorrow at the doctor’s office to confirm. We are a little scared.” (Of course my wife’s “Spidey” sense had already told her that the neighbor was pregnant.)

We rejoiced and hugged and then circled and prayed for them that God would comfort and reassure them of His goodness and for protection and blessing over the mother and child.

Just when we concluded a couple we had not seen in a while came up to us to say hello. We introduced them to our neighbors. The two women looked at each other and asked, “Do I know you?” after probing a bit, it turned out that our friend is a nurse at the very Doctor’s office they were going to the next day! Our nurse friend then spoke to our neighbors with words of comfort and reassurance. Wow! Talk about God immediately responding to our prayers! Amazing!

Our neighbor’s experience struck me as a perfect example of the scripture the Pastor had just preached from in Philippians 3. Paul wrote of laying hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. I had always taken this to mean that it was about grabbing ahold of something God has grabbed ahold for me. But it is not “for me” it is “of me”. God has seized hold of what he created us to be. That’s what he hangs onto, not the garbage we have accumulated in our life. That’s what Paul wants to grab hold of – all of what God intended for him to be.

How does Paul say he does that? By doing one thing! It appears that Paul may not be a math wiz when he then seems to talk of doing 2 things – 1. forgetting those things which are behind, and 2. reaching forward to those things which are ahead. But, it is actually one thing, saying that while forgetting he is reaching forward. They are part of the same thing like the many motions comprised of swimming or mountain climbing. While you are pushing away you are propelling forward.

This is what our neighbors are allowing God to do in their life. As they do not let the pain of the past bind them but press forward to embrace what God intended for them.

Postscript:

Just this past Sunday we attended the second Vox service as part of the church plant in the city. Once again we sat with our neighbors. All is well – mother with child in perfect health. As the worship was in full throttle, I couldn’t help but sneak a peak at our neighbor with her hands raised high, singing and tears glistening down her cheeks.

She is truly doing the “one thing” – mountain climbing. Leaving the lower regions behind while reaching up for the heights of God’s glory. Awesome!

Happy New Year 2019 – For God’s Sake!

 

If I haven’t sung Auld Lang Syne every year, just about every year I’ve heard it as the ending to the movie, It’s A Wonderful Life.

I’ll assume that I’m not the only one in the world who has not understood the song’s meaning. Not being a real Scotsman, I had been ignorant about the song we’ve sung at the passing from the old into the new year. I had always assumed that it was an ode to some memorable Scottish figure that represented good friendship.

What I found is that it was the writer, Robert Burns who is recognized as the first to write down the ancient song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ in the year 1788.

The phrase ‘auld lang syne’ roughly translates as ‘for old times’ sake’. It is all about preserving old friendships and looking back over the events of the year.

The old Scottish tradition is to sing the song just before midnight. Everyone stands in a circle holding hands, then at the beginning of the final verse (‘And there’s a hand my trusty friend’) they cross their arms across their bodies so that their left hand is holding the hand of the person on their right, and their right hand holds that of the person on their left. When the song ends, everyone rushes to the middle for a big group hug.

This is the Original (shortened) Version (Mimicking Scottish Brogue)

• Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
• an nivir brocht ti mynd?
• Shid ald akwentans bee firgot,
• an ald lang syn?
• CHORUS:
• Fir ald lang syn, ma jo,
• fir ald lang syn,
• wil tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
• fir ald lang syn.
  • An sheerly yil bee yur pynt-staup!
  • an sheerly al bee myn!
  • An will tak a cup o kyndnes yet,
  • fir ald lang syn.
  • CHORUS
    • We twa hay rin aboot the braes,
    • an pood the gowans fyn;
    • Bit weev wandert monae a weery fet,
    • sin ald lang syn.
    • CHORUS
      • We twa hay pedilt in the burn,
      • fray mornin sun til dyn;
      • But seas between us bred hay roard
      • sin ald lang syn.
      • CHORUS
        • An thers a han, my trustee feer!
        • an gees a han o thyn!
        • And we’ll tak a richt gude-willie-waucht,
        • fir ald lang syn.
        • CHORUS

In Modern English

• Should old acquaintance be forgot,
• and never brought to mind?
• Should old acquaintance be forgot,
• and old lang syne?
• CHORUS:
• For auld lang syne, my dear,
• for auld lang syne,
• we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
• for auld lang syne.
  • And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
  • and surely I’ll buy mine!
  • And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
  • for auld lang syne.
  • CHORUS
    • We two have run about the slopes,
    • and picked the daisies fine;
    • But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
    • since auld lang syne.
    • CHORUS
      • We two have paddled in the stream,
      • from morning sun till dine;
      • But seas between us broad have roared
      • since auld lang syne.
      • CHORUS
        • And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
        • And give me a hand o’ thine!
        • And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
        • for auld lang syne.
        • CHORUS

I love his song and what it represents. The song is intended to evoke a sense of belonging and fellowship, tinged with nostalgia. It certainly does that for me. It strikes me as a good celebration for a church body – fellowshipping to celebrate the past year together.

The question is “for who’s sake?” In the song, it’s for “old time’s sake” – the things we’ve shared together in the past we celebrate.

Should it be ‘for old times’ sake?’ It’s great to celebrate the past together but not at the expense of the promise for the future. For me, the imagery is much like from my last blog post, suggesting we hoist a ‘pint’ to celebrate the past because the future can never be as good as the past.

Yet, what I glean from the Bible is to not get stuck in the past, even for the great things God has done through us and for us. He promises even greater things in the future. In Isaiah 42:9 God declares, “Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.” (Even promising to tell us about it before He does it. Are we listening?)

God isn’t dwelling on the past. He goes on to say in verse 19, “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.”

Again in Isaiah 48:6 he promises to give us a vision of what He has in store, “You have heard; See all this. And will you not declare it? I have made you hear new things from this time, Even hidden things, and you did not know them.”

Back to the question of, “For whose sake” do we celebrate?

The Greek word most often translated as “Sake” is Heneka. At its core, it is about doing something for a “cause”, for a “purpose”.

From a Christian’s standpoint, it is still a celebration of the closest of friends – Jesus’s “cause” is about restoring a right relationship with God for all people – for our sake. And now we extend that relationship to the world for every individual’s sake and, most importantly, for His sake.

This circular cause/purpose is reflected throughout scripture but highlighted in Psalm 23:3 – “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” His restoration of our lives is not only for our sake but primarily for His sake – so that we and He may enjoy relationship together.

Why, primarily for God’s sake? because, He is our creator and while we have rebelled and walked away from him, it’s all His work to draw us back into the relationship God intended. It’s all on His effort and His strength and His loving persuit. He therefore deserves for it to be for His sake.

So, at the stroke of midnight we ‘hoist a pint’ together – to celebrate what we’ve shared (the good, bad and ugly of life) this past year. For His blessings and sustenance. But, even more so, to celebrate His vision of what He promises to be even better for us in the next year – for as much as we draw closer to Him.

Hebrews 12:22 says to those who trust Christ, “You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering and to the assembly of the first born, who are enrolled in heaven.”

Given that our God has been referred to as “The God of Zion” I will beg our dear Scotsmen friends for their indulgence, as I try not to butcher the old classic with a not-so-slight revision to the end of Auld Lang Syne:

• And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
• And give me a hand o’ thine!
• And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
• for our good God of Zion
  • Chorus:
  • For our ‘good God of Zion’, my dear,
  • for our ‘good God of Zion’,
  • we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
  • from our ‘good God of Zion’.

A very Happy New Year to you all and more so I pray for your sake what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 122:8

“For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”

for all of 2019 and beyond!

I’d prefer to go with the “Blessed Big” Christmas!

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:10-14

The airwaves are now filled with holiday music. There are so many Christmas songs that I enjoy, I find it difficult to select my favorite.

Interesting. Right now, at this very moment, I’m sitting in the airport and the song I’m writing about is playing overhead – Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. (I’ll take that as some kind of confirmation)

Recently, I listened to this classic original as if hearing it for the first time. Most versions are sung as the original in a slow tempo with a somber tone. I had always wondered what that was all about. I got a copy of the original lyrics and realized that for a song with ‘Merry” in its title, it wasn’t a particularly upbeat and joyful song but had more of a gloomy feel.

But, somehow, I could relate.

The words and music took me back to a young age – a time between wide-eyed wonder and teenage dissalussionment. A time when all the magical Christmas stories were exposed as fables. If Santa wasn’t real then was any of it real? For a period of time I faced Christmas with a shrug. None of the presents and decorations held any real significance to me anymore. Time with family and friends was okay. If I could muster any excitement, it seemed lost in the hectic buzz of Christmas morning. The excitement and the meaning were left in the past.

Read the original lyrics which echoed my depressing feelings that any real Christmas magic was behind me.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas as originally written by Hugh Martin:

• Have yourself a merry little Christmas. It may be your last
• Next year we may all be living in the past
• Have yourself a merry little Christmas
• Pop that champagne cork
• Next year we may all be living in New York
• No good times like the olden days. Happy golden days of yore
• Faithful friends who were dear to us, Will be near to us no more
• But at least we all will be together, If the Lord allows
• From now on, we’ll have to muddle through somehow
• So, have yourself a merry little Christmas now

There were a number of years, for me, when the magic of Christmas was gone and relegated to the past. It became more about just “Muddling through somehow.” I eventually adjusted to the realities of the Christmas season (as many do). I grudgingly accepted the truth that it’s not about me and ‘receiving’ but about focusing on others and ‘giving.’ Christmas became more tolerable. Still, a season of rush rush rush, wrap wrap wrap, tear tear tear seemed pretty empty – pretty small. The best we could do was to gather with friends and family to have a merry “little” Christmas.

The truth is that many people have had the same feelings I’ve had of just trying to get through the season with all the pressure, hectic-ness and unmet expectations. It’s known as ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ but for many it’s filled with anxiety and depression.

So, what about the song, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas? Why so sad and forlorn?

Hugh Martin was hired with Ralph Blane to write the music for the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis staring Judy Garland. He wrote “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. It was sung by Garland in a scene set on Christmas Eve in a melancholy way because the family is distraught by the father’s plans to move to New York City for a job promotion, leaving behind their beloved home in St. Louis, Missouri, just before the long-anticipated 1904 World’s Fair begins.

Both Judy Garland and later, Frank Sinatra asked Martin to take the original lyrics and “merry it up a bit”. The lyrics have made the following changes over the years:

• From “It may be your last, Next year we may all be living in the past”
  • to “Let your heart be light, Next year all our troubles will be out of sight”
• From “Pop that champagne cork, Next year we may all be living in New York”
  • to “Make the yuletide gay, Next year all our troubles will be miles away”
• From “No good times like the olden days, Happy golden days of yore”
  • to “Once again as in olden days, Happy golden days of yore”
• From “Faithful friends who were dear to us, Will be near to us no more.”
  • to “Faithful friends who are dear to us. Will be near to us once more”
• From “But at least we all will be together, If the Lord allows. From now on, we’ll have to muddle through somehow”
  • to “Someday soon we all will be together. If the fates allow. Until then we’ll have to muddle through somehow” and this line later changed
  • to “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.”

What strikes me most is that with all the attempts to “merry up” the song, it was decided to take out the only reference to the one who is the source of true joy. They dropped ‘God’ from the song in favor of ‘Fate.’ What a little and hopeless season it becomes when we leave our joy to a soul-less, random universe rather than to the magnificent hope we have in ‘the Lord’ – the very author and creator and meaning of Christmas.

Still, even with the “Merrier” version it strikes me as having an accurately sad tone, depicting the merriment of Christmas through all the world-ly elements but leaving it Christ-less. To me, the “Merry Little Christmas” is aptly titled for it is a small, short-sighted version of what Christmas should be. One that will always leave people feeling sad and forlorn for missing the point of God’s greatest joy.

What changed for me? It wasn’t until I met the living Savior, Jesus Christ when the real celebration began. Christmas became big again – a season of good tidings of great joy! Why? Because I came to know that the story was not a fantasy but true and even real for today – For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Many in this world want to make this season into something that will ultimately leave us empty and wanting if we do not make it all about the birth of the Savior of the world. The God who showed up and continues to show up in very real ways.

Don’t get me wrong, I get “wrapped” up and even enjoy much of the other stuff. I still get caught up in the frenetic holiday antics. I still love this song. But, it all dramatically pales in comparison to the greatest gift of all – a personal savior who is alive and who shows up with power, offering true hope, peace and joy every day.

So, don’t choose the “Merry Little” Christmas but have yourself a joyfully “Blessed Big” Christmas – NOW

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P.S. Check out Michael O’Brien’s recorded version of Have Yourself a “Blessed” Little Christmas on Youtube. He received this from the original songwriter, Hugh Martin (who became a Christian). It puts the Savior back in the Little Christmas.

A Christmas Gift

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8

Just an interesting ‘God’ encounter I had the other day during this Christmas season.

I work as a broker to assist people in selecting their health plan during the annual open enrollment period. I often go to enrollment locations that are usually housed in public buildings – libraries, hospitals, social service buildings.

Given the nature of the locations, I do not overtly share my faith unless I see a ‘natural’ (Holy Spirit) opening. However, for people looking for health coverage who are dealing with serious medical issues, they can get emotional. If there is the ability to be discrete, I’ll offer to pray with them. No one has ever said no.

The other day I came to my desk at a Social Services location and found a Gospel tract with a solid salvation message on my desk. Someone had come into the building and put them on all the desks. None of the staff seemed to care or know where they came from. I thought, Fine. I found it here, I’ll leave it here.

I went through the day until I helped a young woman enroll. She was intrigued by the picture on the tract and asked me what it was. I said that I had found it here this morning and it’s a Christian pamphlet that gives an explanation of the ‘Gospel’ – God’s good news of salvation.

She started to skim through it. I asked for her password to get into her account and as part of her password was her birth year of 1979. I stopped, looked at her and said, “Wow. You know, that is the very year I did what is described in that pamphlet. I committed to follow Jesus and he has proven to be real and trustworthy ever since.”

She responded, “Really?” as she began to more intently look through the tract. I completed her enrollment. There were a bunch of people cued up and waiting for me so we said goodbye and she put it down. I briefly repeated the gospel message of the gift of salvation and it being the very thing to fill the void in our lives.

Then she reached for the pamphlet and asked, “Can I have that?”

What a great question! Of all the things we could ask for in the Christmas season, how great was it to hear someone asking for the thing of greatest value?

I smiled and nodded. “I think someone left it here just for you.”

She smiled back as I added, “It’s a gift, but the real gift is what God offers inside.”

She headed off smiling and now I pray, “Holy Spirit. Complete the work that you started and open up that woman’s mind and spirit to your truth and wonderful joy to receive your greatest Christmas gift of all.”

I love when Jesus not only knocks on the door but sets things up in ways only He could arranged for. What an amazing God, using one of his followers to lay the seed, for me to water it and for Him to prepare and lead just that person He had in mind to consume it. Awesome!

Makes for a very Merry Christmas.

 

 

 

Sorry for this sobering message on this day of “Thanksgiving”

But, I know all too well what it is like to be enjoying a Thanksgiving weekend celebration with family – to then have it shattered by a phone call with the news that drinking and driving has led to a horrible accident and incarceration. It will change the course of the lives of everyone involved.

Destructive Behavior Taken to Another Level

Our culture universally condemns the destructive behavior called “Drinking and Driving”. There are harsh laws and severe penalties for being caught. Would anyone argue that this isn’t a bad thing? Yet, I know people who do this, justifying in their minds that they are masters over alcohol. It’s only a few drinks. But, they are willing to subject everyone they encounter on the road to the dangers of their impaired driving. They don’t believe they are “drunk” but make no mistake they are impaired.

Taking it to another level of thoughtless selfishness, some parents after partying with family and friends and enjoying more than just a drink or two of alcohol, will responsibly strap their young kids into their safety seats and then climb behind the wheel to drive home, subjecting their own family to very real danger.

Frankly, it makes me sick and angry. While stewing in my anger over this behavior, a phrase popped into my mind,

“Parents – You Drink, You Drive . . . You Suck Eggs”

My initial impulse was to blush for using this kind of harsh language. As a Christian I am compelled to exercise self-control over angry impulses. I offer my apology if you find this too offensive. After meditating on it, though, I wondered if it was something Jesus might say? Did he? Would he? I concluded – quite possibly.

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With all that Mud, what do we really KNOW? Part III

Continued from the Blog Post of 9/26/2018 & 10/19/2018. In this post we further explore the question – “What do each one of us really know about God? What is it I really know of Jesus?”

On this day we thank and pray God’s blessings upon our military service men and women – active and veteran for their sacrifice and protection. We can only wonder where this country would be without them?

Thank You!

However, with all deference and respect to our military, I often find that within the Christian community we mis-characterize our Christianity by prioritizing Christians as soldiers. Our salvation being for the purpose of marching out to capture others for Christ so that they can march out and gather more Christians.

In spite of the lyrics to some classic hymns, as far as I can tell, I don’t see anywhere in the New Testament that earthly followers of Jesus are referred to as soldiers or as His army. Revelation 19:19 refers to: Him who sat on the horse and . . . His army. But, that army seems to be a spiritual army different from human followers on earth. Still, it is clear that we fight a spiritual battle and a good fight. (1 Timothy 6:12 & 2 Timothy 4:7) often referencing the personal spiritual battles we face.

In Lord of the Rings there are warrior monsters known as Orcs. Orcs are the species that form the loyal army of the dark lord Sauron, They use their ability to spawn rapidly to overwhelm their enemies. In the movie you see them raise up out of the slimy MUD. They have no mind of their own and have no relationship to the Dark Lord. Their only purpose is to be ordered to march into battle.

We, as Christians, are not Orcs. Yes, we are created in Christ Jesus for good works but the key is that we are being shaped/transformed by our relationship with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). We too often skip over the purpose of salvation to bring each individual of God’s creation into a right relationship with God – for His pleasure and for ours. It is then that this saving relationship is extended out to the world. It is when we have experienced or KNOW something of the relationship that our knowledge can be spilled out and most powerfully shared with others.

What do we really know?

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With all that Mud, what do we really KNOW? Part II

“When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay (mud) with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay (mud).” – John 9: 6-7  

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Continued from the Blog Post of 9/26/2018. In this post we further explore the question – “What do each one of us really know about God? What is it I really know of Jesus?”

Lets look at the episode in John Chapter 9 – The Mud Healing from the standpoint of what is KNOWN or UNKOWN

John chapter 9 opens with Jesus passing by a man who was blind from birth. His disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” The Disciples understood the common knowledge that someone in the family must have sinned resulting in this man being born blind. In this culture the family’s name was MUD, being stigmatized by guilt and shame for some unknown failure.

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” Jesus is responding to the disciple’s question and correcting the record. He is the Rabbi making things known by teaching.

The story continued, “After he answered, Jesus spat on the ground and made clay (mud) with the saliva and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay (mud).

(note: One of the unique elements about this recorded healing episode is that of the 25 or so recorded healings, this is the only one where Jesus is not solicited or that Jesus does not make his intentions KNOWN)

Jesus hocks a loogie (spits):

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