A Little Christmas Music

"Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,

praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth

peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:13-14

It's All About the Shopping

And so it begins: The “holiday” or “Christmas” season, often accompanied by the word “shopping.” The Thanksgiving edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel landed at my door this morning filled with an inch or more of sale inserts whose purpose it is to lure me into stores at 4 and 5 a.m. on Black Friday with “door-buster” deals and “one-day-only” specials.

As a Christian and recovered shopper myself, I understand the psychology behind exuberant shopping at Christmas.

Christmas is the only time chronic shoppers can binge in stores guilt-free. After all, they’re shopping for Christmas. Is it so bad that a few items land in the cart that aren’t gifts for others, but gifts for themselves? It’s still Christmas shopping, right?

I read a survey that said 66% of people shopping on Black Friday will be shopping for themselves. I take that to mean what it says: for themselves; not for others. So the whole premise that Black Friday is a gift-shopping day is quickly becoming a myth, replaced by the reality that it is just a day off work to go fishing for great deals on yet more stuff for oneself.

For others, shopping at this time of year is exhausting because gift-giving, for them, is their ticket to recognition: they hope to find love and acceptance through the gifts they buy. So they frantically roam the stores seeking that perfect gift--and I do mean perfect--that will wow and impress the receiver and all who are in the room when the gift is opened.

I remember buying gifts for my extended family gift-exchange and thinking that the gift absolutely must reflect positively on me: it couldn’t be too cheap or too common, had to be exquisitely wrapped and ultimately the hit of the family gathering. The gift was more about me than the other person. Under that mentality, Christmas shopping becomes a competition with other gift-givers, the stakes growing higher each year. This is exactly what the Bible admonishes against: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.” (Matthew 6:1). Yet for many, gift giving is their way of not only attempting to be seen, but to be loved, befriended, accepted and affirmed.

William Gurnall, born in 1616 in England, is the author of the Puritan classic “The Christian in Complete Armour.” In volume one of this classic, he writes:

“We lose the good of material things by expecting too much from them. Those who try hardest to please themselves with earthly goods find the least satisfaction in them.”

I would say the same is true for gift-giving. I’m not at all against giving gifts. I am, however, wary of the motivation and expectation that lies behind much gift giving, be it gifts to others or so-called gifts to ourselves. When we expect gifts to do things they can’t, we become disillusioned at the result and vow to shop harder next time.

Gurnall has the solution for this vicious cycle of emotional and physical bondage to gifts, gift-giving, and shopping, of which I can personally attest: “All of our frustrations,” he writes, “could be easily avoided if we would turn away from things and look to Christ for happiness.”

This Christmas, I’m not suggesting people stop giving gifts entirely. What I am suggesting, though, is to start with the only true and perfect gift that never disappoints: Jesus Christ Himself.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Walking the Narrow Path in China

Today's Wall Street Journal writes about Christians taking their churches underground in China. Like I said in my last post, the powers of darkness can attempt to stop and silence faith, but have never been successful in doing so. And even if people were ever to be silenced, we remember again Jesus' words that even the stones will cry out.

Here's the link to the WSJ article written by Leslie Hook:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704431804574539120649781240.html

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." Matthew 16:18

"Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it." Mark 16:20

FFRF Hits New Low

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is at it again, this time unconscionably attacking UW-Whitewater because a campus religious organization sent out an email invitation for a prayer vigil for Staff Sgt. Amy Krueger who was killed in the shootings at Fort Hood. Krueger was a psychology major at Whitewater.

FFRF, once again, has spoken out against a freedom that is guaranteed by the Constitution, and they spoke out in a way and at a time that shows their true colors at their darkest.

FFRF went ballistic over the word “prayer” in the campus email and immediately penned a frigid letter to UW-Whitewater chastising them, completely forgetting (or not even seeing to begin with) that a young lady had just died.

FFRF’s Annie Gaylor engaged in her traditional kindergarten tactics, bullying the UW with the implication that the UW must change the wording of “prayer vigil” to “memorial service.”

UW-Madison’s Badger Herald calls FFRF a “nontheism” group, which is a laugh. FFRF is anti-theist. A non-theist would graciously and maturely decline religion and mind their own business without being offended by every religious icon, word and practice.

FFRF is not content with taking the stance that religion is a non-entity to them. No, they go much further, turning their personal opinions on religion into a public vendetta in the hopes that they can wipe religion off the map. (One wonders what “injustice” they’d entertain themselves with then?)

The audacious attempt to restrict the mourners at UW-Whitewater is the height of self-centeredness, completely lacking in compassion, love, integrity and goodwill towards Amy Krueger, her family and the staff and students of UW-Whitewater. At a time calling for humanity’s kindness, FFRF answers with an egregious display of narcissism.

Deep down inside, I think FFRF knows that a moment of silence or a sanitized memorial service can never substitute for prayer. Which is why they try to do it, because they know there is power in prayer. Which would admit there is a God. Which gets back to what FFRF is most fearful of and the reason for all their actions.

Prayer can never be a “moment of silence” because prayer is never without sound. Prayer, contrary to what many people might want to believe, is not “silencing the mind.” Prayer is alive and active as we cry out to God and listen to His words back to us. In times of tragedy, God hears our very heartbreak through prayer, even when we don’t know what to pray.

Romans 8:26-27 tells us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” This is not passive silence--as if one can silence inner heartbreak! The fact that FFRF thinks a sanitized memorial is possible only shows how ignorant of prayer and the human and Holy Spirit they are.

Prayer will continue to offend and set off agendas. And the powers of darkness will continue to roam the earth looking for people to silence. However, Jesus Himself, in Luke 19:40, gives us this assurance, “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

“I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer." Psalm 6:6-9

"Over and Out"

I was telling my son Nick how, when my friends and I were little, we used to hang out in the fort my brother built and play detective. We’d hide behind trees and communicate via imaginary radios, ending our communique with “over and out.” We said this because that must’ve been what we heard in the many war movies we’d grown up watching. But Nick didn’t get what it meant, so I Googled the phrase and found out we’d been using the lingo the wrong way. On one website, a person posted the following:

“As for 'Over and out,' you would be shot out of the water if you used the phrase on marine radio. 'Over' means 'I have finished speaking and am awaiting a reply.' 'Out' means 'I have finished the communication.' 'Over' and 'Out' should NEVER be used together in serious radio communication.”

I laughed at how I’d been misusing those words. But then again, it didn’t surprise me. Isn’t that how much of the world operates? In conversations across the globe, people are talking, but they are "over and outing" each other, putting in an appearance of listening or wanting to hear, but then saying “out” before the other person can respond to the “over.” We all know what it’s like to try to convey a thought to someone whose mind is already made up regarding what they want to do or to think. And we’ve been in situations where we’ve been guilty of thinking about where we’re going to have lunch or when we’re going to do the laundry while someone else is talking to us. We portend a stance of “over” while practicing “over and out.”

This happens to me with God. I remember “praying” once about getting involved in a ministry (I put praying in quotes because I’d already made up my mind). I was so sure it was something God would approve of, but just to be safe, I took a couple days to go through the motion of “seeking God” about it. Not hearing anything from God on this (which Oswald Chambers says should be taken as a red flag) I remember one day decidedly closing my Bible and thinking, “God will bless this, even if I haven’t really heard from Him.” Oh, God did bless it, in that He taught me never ever to plunge ahead without His call again!

See, I was in “over and out” mode. I pretended to be in “over” mode, awaiting God’s leading, but in reality, I jumped right to “out” mode, essentially shutting God out. That is, until mopping up and bailing out time came: ever notice how, after we’ve made a real mess of things, we’re suddenly ready to listen to God? We’re ready to be in “over” mode only?

So often in prayer I’m restless and I pray about something, but then move on to another request, or go on to do my Bible reading, or hurriedly finish up with my quiet time anxious to get to other activities. I’m praying “over and out” prayers. I pray and then tell God that my communication is over before He has a chance to even speak to me. I put down the radio and go about my day, leaving God waiting on the other end.

Oftentimes people say prayer doesn’t really accomplish anything: we do. I’ve felt that way sometimes. I want to just jump in and “do” and not wait for God. But it’s that very act of “doing” without God that is the hindrance—the prevention—of prayer taking an active, accomplishing role in our, and other’s, lives. Prayer doesn't accomplish things because we hang up on the author of prayer before He can give His answer. Instead of ending with “Amen,” we close with a self-centered “over and out.”

Just as “over and out” should never be used together in serious radio communication, it should never be used in serious God-communication either.

"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. 'Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?' he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26: 40-41

"Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'" Mark 14:35-36

"When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 'Why are you sleeping?' he asked them. 'Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." Luke 22:45-46

Victory for a Free Press

Being a journalist, I am heartened by the response

to an attempt at censorship that this news video

shows.

The day we lose our freedom of the press in this

country is the day we are no longer living in a

republic. The other news outlets that stood by

Fox News are to be commended. They didn't

just defend Fox News, they defended their

journalistic calling.

"Does not wisdom call, does not understanding

raise her voice?

On the heights beside the way, in the paths she

takes her stand;

beside the gates in front of the town, at the

entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

' To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the

sons of men.

O simple ones, learn prudence; O foolish men,

pay attention.

Hear, for I will speak noble things,

and from my lips will come what

is right.'" Proverbs 8:1-6

Love Means Saying "I'm Sorry"

Many people may remember the line from the movie “Love Story” that says, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” As warm and fuzzy as that sentiment may be, I’ve come to learn, through faith, that it simply isn’t true. Cowardice and smugness mean never having to say you’re sorry. Pride means never having to say you’re sorry. Self-righteousness means never having to say you’re sorry. But love--true Godly love--repents of wrongs and apologizes to God and to whomever has been wronged.

Before I was saved and born again through Christ, I could act rudely or knowingly hurt someone’s feelings and then go on my merry way. No matter how inappropriate my actions, in my mind they were justifiable. I, alone, was accountable to me, which meant I could just let myself off the hook. I was judge and jury of my own attitudes and actions. And let me tell you, when self is the arbiter of integrity and justice, look out. Both become arbitrary, based on the current level of maturity, emotion and circumstance. I operated under the self-deluded impression that I was a person of integrity when I wasn’t, and that I didn’t owe anybody an apology when, in actuality, I did!

Apologizing is one of the great challenges of the Christian faith; at least it is for me. I’m only just beginning to live out the biblical precept of owning up to my mistakes. One reason I find making amends difficult may be because I never had it modeled. I grew up in a family and with friends that didn’t apologize. Silent treatments and talking about people behind their back followed every conflict and altercation. With time, relationships would eventually morph back together, until the next dispute, wherein the cycle would repeat. The words “I’m sorry” never crossed my, or anyone else’s, lips.

I credit my husband with being my mentor in how to say “I’m sorry.” He’s the only person I know who will be the first to freely and quickly make an apology, even if he didn’t start the conflict and even if he’s not at fault. That’s humility--something I didn’t have that God is now cultivating and that is helping me to learn to say “I’m sorry.”

Micah 6:8 says, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” How does an attitude of not ever being sorry fit into this verse? It doesn’t. Comparing my attitude and actions against Scripture is always the ticket to changed behavior. My faith, more and more, is such that when I sin against God and another person, I can no longer just sweep it under the rug. Instead, I feel deeply grieved for God and the poor representation I am of Him. That old selfish urge to not apologize is now being overtaken by a deep need to right my wrong: for God first, and then the other person, and then myself.

And that’s what God requires of us: justice (being accountable for wrongs) mercy (towards others who took the brunt of our insensitivity) and walking humbly with God (repenting and then going forward in the full knowledge of what it took for God to forgive us in His Son, Jesus Christ). Walking humbly may also keep our apologies to a minimum because we’re living God-honoring and other-centered lives that are bereft of behavior that would require an apology!

And for those times we slip up, as we most inevitably will this side of heaven, the truest way to love God, others and ourselves is to say, “I’m sorry.”

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:1