THE UNCONVENTIONAL CHRISTMAS POEM

Though Christmas was over a week ago, I found this poem I had written a while back that, to me, is still a needed reminder as we make “preparations” for the next Christmas.

Once a year, they sing “Peace on earth”

Once a year, they celebrate my birth

Presents under the tree, Lights around the yard

Just for me, they max out their credit cards

Once a year, they remind people that I’m the reason

Why they are to celebrate this most joyous season

But why in the summer, do they not say a word

Daily the number grows of people who have not heard

Once a year they remind each other to freely give

Yet everyday there are ones struggling to live

I did not come for a day of observance

But to seek and to save that I might take up residence

To transform lives into new creations

That they might bear fruit and share the hope of salvation

So go buy gifts and go hang lights

Go plan a party for Christmas Eve night

Yet, know that I’ll not judge you by how you remember my birth

But by how far you spread my Word and Love on this earth.

Remember for 2015: Don't just make every opportunity "count," but make them Christ-like.

Comments

By Fighting or by Faith?

I have spent many years sitting under hard 'conservative' preaching where there has been a mile long list of do's and don't's and a standardized belief that the Christian life must be choosing what is good, better, and best. Here's an example.... Bob: You don't have a tie for service today? Tom: I am sorry, I did not know I was supposed to wear one. Bob: Well, it's the fact of what is good, better, and best! Tom: Oh, why is that? Bob: A tie is better. It makes you look distinguished. You don't want to look sloppy for God now do you? Tom: No. I suppose not. I just came to worship God. I did not know there was more involved. What kind of a tie should I wear to honor God? Bob: What kin.....well, um...you need one that matches the suit you should wear. Tom: I'm not good at matching, what if I don't have the right color. Will God be offended? Bob: Oh no! That is silly nonsense. So, Tom goes on his way. Buys himself...

"After this MANNER pray ye..."

This is the fourth lesson from my Sunday night messages in which I have simply sought to zero in on the teachings of Christ on prayer. D.M. M’Intyre: “ The equipment for the inner life of prayer…a quiet place, a quiet hour, a quiet heart.” “… every gracious work which has been accomplished within the Kingdom of God has been begun, fostered, and consummated by prayer.” The title is taken from Matthew 6:9 In this lesson, we will be looking verse by verse from 9-13. *Just before these verses, Christ spoke on the Motive in prayer, but now He is dealing with the Manner of prayer. *Jesus is not commanding Memorization and Exactness in Prayer, instead He is revealing the Main Essentials of Prayer. *If you just focus on the Precise Words, it becomes a Dead end to Prayer, but if you focus on the Wonder of Christ and the Will of God it is a Pathway for Power. Matthew 6 9 After this manner therefore pray y...

FANATICS

In Carthage, there has been a lot of talk lately over the High School's new Big Screen in the Football Stadium. It is one of the largest HS Football Screens in America. There was an interesting article about it on Yahoo sports. It costs roughly around $750,000. Statistically, around forty percent of people in Carthage claim to be Baptists (Not just Christian, but Baptist). Yet, I find it so amazing how many people here idolize sports, paticularly Baseball and Football. I am certainly not seeking to piously condemn the whole city. I enjoy many types of sports, but I pray my enjoyment and fun for them never turns to an ever-increasing fixation. Instead of the screaming fan on the sidelines whose face paint is slowly dripping off with a mixture of sweat, I consider myself to be the guy who gives a couple of approving grunts and simply tips his hat, when the game is over. What about you?...

The Marvelous Message

Search This Blog