In Pursuit of Pleasure
Growing up in a traditional Pentecostal church, I received considerable instruction concerning the "worldly pleasures" I should avoid. I do not recall any suggestion that a Christian might find pleasures in the "heavenly realms." Thus, the very word “pleasure” gathered a negative connotation. Sacrifice and suffering seemed to be the lot of Christians, not pleasure!
Further, after years of Christian life and ministry, I have concluded that the pursuit of pleasure does dominate the lives of most unbelievers while contending continually for the attention of many believers. It’s very easy for me to believe that these are the “perilous times” of the “last days” of which Paul spoke, days in which people are in fact “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” It makes sense that lovers of God would not be lovers of pleasure!
How about another look at pleasure? Two preliminary thoughts . . .
First, our God understands pleasure. He frequently stepped back from His creative handiwork and said, “It is good!” The Word of God reports many people, events, and circumstances in which God found pleasure. The New Testament encourages Believers to “please” God. No problem with the possibility of giving God pleasure!
Second, we human beings seem to be wired for pleasure. I believe the capacity for pleasure is one of many features we have gained from being made in His image and likeness. The first man and woman were placed in a garden designed for their pleasure. Eden must have been a pleasant place. Grandma Eve recognized the potential for pleasure while gazing at the forbidden fruit. That’s when pleasure revealed its dark side.
Has pleasure become altogether evil, or just the pursuit of it?
My thinking has been jostled by John Piper in his book entitled Brothers, We Are Not Professionals. (The book was a gift from my friend, Keith Heermann.) In the seventh chapter, he used the phrase “Christian hedonism”, a concept he introduced in a previous book. It made me think!
The "Westminster Shorter Catechism" begins with this: "Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever."
Enjoy God? I don’t ordinarily look at the Christian life from that perspective, but considering the wealth of scripture offering and encouraging joy and rejoicing, it really does make sense.
Could the life of a fully devoted disciple of Jesus be legitimately described as “the pursuit of pleasure in the heavenly realms”? Is this what Jesus was encouraging with “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”? Is there truly unparalleled pleasure in the kingdom that is “at hand” still today?
This is what the Spirit had in mind when the Psalmist wrote, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11) Let’s not assume this speaks only of a future condition, after life as we know it on earth. We enjoy his presence now! We are now at His right hand in Christ.
Can I pursue pleasure in the realm of the effective reign of my Heavenly Father without jeopardizing or minimizing His pleasure in and over me?
I have found that Sandra, my dear wife of 40 years, is a source of great pleasure. But, I have experienced the greatest pleasure in Sandra when I have been relatively successful in pleasing her. (I’m not talking about sex, although the principle applies.) Pleasure is actually something we share, with mutual responsibility and privilege.
In Romans 12, Paul’s appeal is twofold . . . offer yourselves completely to God as living sacrifices AND be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The promised result is, “Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I have generally assumed that the words “good, pleasing, and perfect” were for God’s benefit, but the “good, pleasing, and perfect” are for us too!
Worldly pleasures? Bah, humbug! The pursuit of pleasure finds its richest fulfillment in a life devoted to the will of God!
What do you think?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
The 29th Chapter of Acts
I’ve been preaching through Acts recently. It was a hunger for more that sent me back to Acts. I want more for myself, more for my congregation, and more for the church in America. The process of searching, studying, scrutinizing, and then sharing has been rich and rewarding. There has been much repenting in the process.
Repent . . . I like the way Dallas Willard paraphrases the word: “Rethink your life.” (The Divine Conspiracy, 1998, p. 274.) Regular reflection on one’s life, under the influence of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, will likely bring us to new conclusions as to our policies, priorities, and practices.
I have been repenting for some time now. (See my previous blog dated January 20, 2009). I still have so much to learn . . . there are so many ways for me to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus! Personally and pastorally, I repent regularly!
Looking back on my ministry, I recognize a pattern of ambivalence. While I have never abandoned Pentecostal doctrine on an academic level, I have failed to believe what I believe. That is, I have not consistently and purposely practiced and applied Pentecostal truths in my approach to ministry in the local church. I have marginalized and minimized distinctly Pentecostal practices too often, usually in an effort to placate those who were somewhat uncomfortable with them. I have repented of my failure to value, embrace, and fully celebrate my Pentecostal heritage.
Thus, I am more convince that the only hope we have of seriously impacting our world is through a determination to understand and apply the principles, patterns, and practices found in the Gospels and Acts. The power and promise expressed by Jesus in Acts 1:8 must resonate in my heart and my words. I priority of prayer must be evident on our schedule. I must preach and promote the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. I must regularly pray for those who are not filled with the Spirit. I must allow room and time for the Spirit to speak when we gather. I must promote and encourage people to embrace and exercise gifts throughout the week.
Yesterday, I stumbled across a statement by Ken Harrison, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand. His words struck a responsive chord in my heart and prompted this blog. Read it . . .
“In today’s world we need to constantly realize the fact that only a transcendent power from heaven, operating within the body of believers called the local church, will ever fully answer to the kind of ministry needed in most of our cities and towns. The church today needs to see themselves as saved people who are being shaped by the word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live supernatural lives and thereby being Christ’s hands of love extended into the world in which they find themselves.”
I say, “Amen!”
Harrison said something else I like: “As we do this we will be people of influence who will write our own Acts 29 and our churches will be the Supernatural Church in this 21st Century.”
I want the congregation I serve to be a part of writing the 29th chapter of Acts!
Repent . . . I like the way Dallas Willard paraphrases the word: “Rethink your life.” (The Divine Conspiracy, 1998, p. 274.) Regular reflection on one’s life, under the influence of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, will likely bring us to new conclusions as to our policies, priorities, and practices.
I have been repenting for some time now. (See my previous blog dated January 20, 2009). I still have so much to learn . . . there are so many ways for me to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus! Personally and pastorally, I repent regularly!
Looking back on my ministry, I recognize a pattern of ambivalence. While I have never abandoned Pentecostal doctrine on an academic level, I have failed to believe what I believe. That is, I have not consistently and purposely practiced and applied Pentecostal truths in my approach to ministry in the local church. I have marginalized and minimized distinctly Pentecostal practices too often, usually in an effort to placate those who were somewhat uncomfortable with them. I have repented of my failure to value, embrace, and fully celebrate my Pentecostal heritage.
Thus, I am more convince that the only hope we have of seriously impacting our world is through a determination to understand and apply the principles, patterns, and practices found in the Gospels and Acts. The power and promise expressed by Jesus in Acts 1:8 must resonate in my heart and my words. I priority of prayer must be evident on our schedule. I must preach and promote the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. I must regularly pray for those who are not filled with the Spirit. I must allow room and time for the Spirit to speak when we gather. I must promote and encourage people to embrace and exercise gifts throughout the week.
Yesterday, I stumbled across a statement by Ken Harrison, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in New Zealand. His words struck a responsive chord in my heart and prompted this blog. Read it . . .
“In today’s world we need to constantly realize the fact that only a transcendent power from heaven, operating within the body of believers called the local church, will ever fully answer to the kind of ministry needed in most of our cities and towns. The church today needs to see themselves as saved people who are being shaped by the word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live supernatural lives and thereby being Christ’s hands of love extended into the world in which they find themselves.”
I say, “Amen!”
Harrison said something else I like: “As we do this we will be people of influence who will write our own Acts 29 and our churches will be the Supernatural Church in this 21st Century.”
I want the congregation I serve to be a part of writing the 29th chapter of Acts!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Something I Never Had
“To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.”
I discovered this thought-provoking nugget of truth at the bottom of an e-mail message at work. It was part of the “signature,” little more than decoration. I have forgotten the body of the message and I don’t remember the sender, but this gem has challenged my thinking for several months. It reminded me of something I heard Leadership Guru John Maxwell say many times:
“If we always do what we’ve always done, then we’ll always get what we always got.”
I have always been “Christian” from every observable angle. I was raised in a wonderful Christian family; church was a vital part of our lives. I have “loved God” all of my life and I maintained the “Christian” standards handed down to me. I carried my Bible to High School! I didn't dance, drink, smoke, or chew, I didn't go out with girls who did. Uh, OK, I didn't really go out with girls at all . . .
Still today, I attend church regularly, with my Bible in hand, and I sing the hymns and choruses with considerable gusto. I pray over meals in public places. I embrace every fundamental Christian doctrine, and I can discuss most of them with at lease average clarity. Ask me what I believe, and I will give you an answer. Pretty good for a guy who has been in pastoral ministry 38 years! But, like the church in America, I am a mile wide and an inch deep.
“Something I never had” describes a depth of spirituality that has escaped me. It’s a spiritual depth that I see in Jesus, of course, and in early believers like Peter, John, Phillip, and Stephen. Why am I comparing myself to such giants? Because I have been claiming to be a disciple of Jesus for over 60 years!
When I speak of “depth of spirituality” I am referring to the fact that Jesus could see and hear things in the spiritual realm that physical senses could not have discerned. He did what he saw the Father do and he said what he heard the Father say. I also see that quality in the early disciples . . . they saw, heard, and knew things that others could not! The lived in dynamic relationship with God through His Spirit . . . they were spiritual!
“Something I never had” also describes the miraculous, supernatural manifestations evident in the lives of Jesus and His disciples. When I hear Jesus say, “He who believes in me will do the works that I do, and even greater works,” I have to wonder, do I believe? I’ve seen a few miracles, healings, and answers to prayer, but compared to the needs, sickness, and requests I’ve known, too few!
“Something I never had” relates to my desire for success in ministry that is not dependant upon anything from the vast libraries of canned strategies and techniques for church growth. And in my present ministry, there isn’t enough time, people, or money for most of those packages . . . I need something I can’t order from a catalog or find at a seminar!
I have been dissatisfied with myself and my ministry for sometime now. I’ve been hungry, longing, and searching for more for several years. I hinted at this in my first blog, “310project.” So, the cute little ditty I discovered in an e-mail helped to clarify the process I have been in for about 18 months.
“Something I never did” includes almost all of the spiritual disciplines. I realized that I needed to do some things just because I’m a child of God, not because I have a sermon to prepare or a church problem to solve. I made a fresh commitment to personal Bible reading in the fall of 2007. In 2008 I read the Bible through from cover to cover in six months and then read the New Testament through two additional times. In the past three months I’ve gone to bed early, like an 8 year old, so that I could spend a quiet hour with God. There are so many other things I never did and will be doing. It’s a process.
It’s true! I am already getting something I never had because I am doing something I never did. I’m enjoying being a disciple of Jesus Christ, just a child of God! And I have hope for more . . . more of God, more of His Power, more fruit to glorify Him!
I want to come back to that little proverb in another blog . . .
I discovered this thought-provoking nugget of truth at the bottom of an e-mail message at work. It was part of the “signature,” little more than decoration. I have forgotten the body of the message and I don’t remember the sender, but this gem has challenged my thinking for several months. It reminded me of something I heard Leadership Guru John Maxwell say many times:
“If we always do what we’ve always done, then we’ll always get what we always got.”
I have always been “Christian” from every observable angle. I was raised in a wonderful Christian family; church was a vital part of our lives. I have “loved God” all of my life and I maintained the “Christian” standards handed down to me. I carried my Bible to High School! I didn't dance, drink, smoke, or chew, I didn't go out with girls who did. Uh, OK, I didn't really go out with girls at all . . .
Still today, I attend church regularly, with my Bible in hand, and I sing the hymns and choruses with considerable gusto. I pray over meals in public places. I embrace every fundamental Christian doctrine, and I can discuss most of them with at lease average clarity. Ask me what I believe, and I will give you an answer. Pretty good for a guy who has been in pastoral ministry 38 years! But, like the church in America, I am a mile wide and an inch deep.
“Something I never had” describes a depth of spirituality that has escaped me. It’s a spiritual depth that I see in Jesus, of course, and in early believers like Peter, John, Phillip, and Stephen. Why am I comparing myself to such giants? Because I have been claiming to be a disciple of Jesus for over 60 years!
When I speak of “depth of spirituality” I am referring to the fact that Jesus could see and hear things in the spiritual realm that physical senses could not have discerned. He did what he saw the Father do and he said what he heard the Father say. I also see that quality in the early disciples . . . they saw, heard, and knew things that others could not! The lived in dynamic relationship with God through His Spirit . . . they were spiritual!
“Something I never had” also describes the miraculous, supernatural manifestations evident in the lives of Jesus and His disciples. When I hear Jesus say, “He who believes in me will do the works that I do, and even greater works,” I have to wonder, do I believe? I’ve seen a few miracles, healings, and answers to prayer, but compared to the needs, sickness, and requests I’ve known, too few!
“Something I never had” relates to my desire for success in ministry that is not dependant upon anything from the vast libraries of canned strategies and techniques for church growth. And in my present ministry, there isn’t enough time, people, or money for most of those packages . . . I need something I can’t order from a catalog or find at a seminar!
I have been dissatisfied with myself and my ministry for sometime now. I’ve been hungry, longing, and searching for more for several years. I hinted at this in my first blog, “310project.” So, the cute little ditty I discovered in an e-mail helped to clarify the process I have been in for about 18 months.
“Something I never did” includes almost all of the spiritual disciplines. I realized that I needed to do some things just because I’m a child of God, not because I have a sermon to prepare or a church problem to solve. I made a fresh commitment to personal Bible reading in the fall of 2007. In 2008 I read the Bible through from cover to cover in six months and then read the New Testament through two additional times. In the past three months I’ve gone to bed early, like an 8 year old, so that I could spend a quiet hour with God. There are so many other things I never did and will be doing. It’s a process.
It’s true! I am already getting something I never had because I am doing something I never did. I’m enjoying being a disciple of Jesus Christ, just a child of God! And I have hope for more . . . more of God, more of His Power, more fruit to glorify Him!
I want to come back to that little proverb in another blog . . .
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
"Merry Christmas" Revisited
An “old friend” from real life reappeared as a “new friend” on Facebook just in time to read my last blog. His response via e-mail shed light on an issue that is closely related to my remarks. I’d like to acknowledge his views and attempt to bring the two issues into harmony.
My friend has been subjected to anti-Christian bias on several occasions. As a teenager, his efforts to start a Christian club on campus were met with opposition by ignorant people. A few years ago, he was criticized for wishing others a “Merry Christmas” at work. In light of the fact that people of faith are being deprived of their civil rights across America with increasing frequency, my friend felt that my blog made light of a serious issue. He was particularly offended by my reference to the “Crusades.”
There have been an increasing number of attacks on Christian liberty, freedom of speech, and religious expression in recent years. Children and young people have been denied the right to express their faith in school. Crosses, nativity scenes, and other religious symbols have been stripped from public properties. And yes, people have been prohibited from saying, “Merry Christmas” on the job.
As I prepared my blog, I was not thinking of this on-going attack on Christian liberties . . . I was focusing on the more recent attack by Christians on business and people who choose to avoid the word Christmas. I think it is absurd to be Christ-o-phobic, but I believe we might do well to grant others the right to express their non-Christian, secular views.
It’s like two sides of a coin. Freedom of speech and religious (or non-religions) expression is the issue. On one side of the coin, Christians have a right to express their faith publicly. On the other side, non-Christians have a right to express their unbelief publicly.
As I understand history, good “Christian” men from Western Europe moved across Europe to the Middle East to liberate the Holy Land, killing hundreds of thousands of people in the course of their “crusades.” I chose to equate recent attacks on Target, Costco, Old Navy, and other companies to the crusades. Why do we demand that commercial interests say “Merry Christmas” when their only interest is profit? What have we really gained when they capitulate to pressure and begin using the word “Christmas” again? Are they closer to Christ? Is Jesus Christ really honored?
It is an entirely different matter to defend one’s homeland from invasion by hostile forces, which is what we do when we defend religious expression. I believe you and I ought to have the right to say “Merry Christmas” in schools and at work!
Costco, it’s OK to say “happy holidays!” My friend, you have a right to say “Merry Christmas!”
My friend has been subjected to anti-Christian bias on several occasions. As a teenager, his efforts to start a Christian club on campus were met with opposition by ignorant people. A few years ago, he was criticized for wishing others a “Merry Christmas” at work. In light of the fact that people of faith are being deprived of their civil rights across America with increasing frequency, my friend felt that my blog made light of a serious issue. He was particularly offended by my reference to the “Crusades.”
There have been an increasing number of attacks on Christian liberty, freedom of speech, and religious expression in recent years. Children and young people have been denied the right to express their faith in school. Crosses, nativity scenes, and other religious symbols have been stripped from public properties. And yes, people have been prohibited from saying, “Merry Christmas” on the job.
As I prepared my blog, I was not thinking of this on-going attack on Christian liberties . . . I was focusing on the more recent attack by Christians on business and people who choose to avoid the word Christmas. I think it is absurd to be Christ-o-phobic, but I believe we might do well to grant others the right to express their non-Christian, secular views.
It’s like two sides of a coin. Freedom of speech and religious (or non-religions) expression is the issue. On one side of the coin, Christians have a right to express their faith publicly. On the other side, non-Christians have a right to express their unbelief publicly.
As I understand history, good “Christian” men from Western Europe moved across Europe to the Middle East to liberate the Holy Land, killing hundreds of thousands of people in the course of their “crusades.” I chose to equate recent attacks on Target, Costco, Old Navy, and other companies to the crusades. Why do we demand that commercial interests say “Merry Christmas” when their only interest is profit? What have we really gained when they capitulate to pressure and begin using the word “Christmas” again? Are they closer to Christ? Is Jesus Christ really honored?
It is an entirely different matter to defend one’s homeland from invasion by hostile forces, which is what we do when we defend religious expression. I believe you and I ought to have the right to say “Merry Christmas” in schools and at work!
Costco, it’s OK to say “happy holidays!” My friend, you have a right to say “Merry Christmas!”
Monday, December 15, 2008
Is it OK not to say Merry Christmas?
There’s a new “Holy War.” Like in the crusades of old, Christians have donned their armor, mounted their valiant steeds, and marched out to do battle with the enemies of Christmas. Or maybe it’s more like a huge ideological tug of war.
On one side we have a secular society that depends upon the economic surge that comes with Christmas. The commercial entities need the seasonal profits just to survive another year. Granted, there are plenty of “anti-christs” who are happy to avoid the use of the C-word. This side eagerly declares, “Happy Holidays!” and “Season’s Greetings!”
On the other side we have a broad spectrum of religious people who are sorely offended by such an obvious refusal to pay lip service to the religious roots of the season. So this side tugs on the “rope” crying “Keep Christ in Christmas!” and “It’s called Christmas with a Capital C!”
The secular side tugs on the rope because it fears offending people of non-Christians faith . . . Jews, Muslims, Atheists, etc. For many, profits are the real reason for the season.
I’ve had my turn tugging on the rope, but now I’m not wondering about our position. What does the world think while it watches the tug of war? Do they see angry Christians fighting about words? Does the world wonder why our “Christ” can’t defend himself?
Christmas has become a monster, and good “Christian” people have contributed to its creation. We put up our lights, decorate our trees, shop ‘till we drop, and exchange our gifts. We’ve sold out to the same secular impulses! Why are we fighting so fervently over what non-believers call a holiday that really seems to have very little to do with the Birth of Jesus!
We are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Why don’t we get rid of all the commercial and cultural fluff that has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus? Why don’t we call it “advent” or “the nativity” and quietly honor the Lord with worship, adoration, and simple, heartfelt expressions of appreciation? Why don’t we focus on loving the Lord, then concentrate on showing the world around us that we are a gracious, loving people who can be wonderfully happy in our faith without freaking out when someone wishes us “Happy Holidays!”
I just don’t want to fight anymore!
On one side we have a secular society that depends upon the economic surge that comes with Christmas. The commercial entities need the seasonal profits just to survive another year. Granted, there are plenty of “anti-christs” who are happy to avoid the use of the C-word. This side eagerly declares, “Happy Holidays!” and “Season’s Greetings!”
On the other side we have a broad spectrum of religious people who are sorely offended by such an obvious refusal to pay lip service to the religious roots of the season. So this side tugs on the “rope” crying “Keep Christ in Christmas!” and “It’s called Christmas with a Capital C!”
The secular side tugs on the rope because it fears offending people of non-Christians faith . . . Jews, Muslims, Atheists, etc. For many, profits are the real reason for the season.
I’ve had my turn tugging on the rope, but now I’m not wondering about our position. What does the world think while it watches the tug of war? Do they see angry Christians fighting about words? Does the world wonder why our “Christ” can’t defend himself?
Christmas has become a monster, and good “Christian” people have contributed to its creation. We put up our lights, decorate our trees, shop ‘till we drop, and exchange our gifts. We’ve sold out to the same secular impulses! Why are we fighting so fervently over what non-believers call a holiday that really seems to have very little to do with the Birth of Jesus!
We are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Why don’t we get rid of all the commercial and cultural fluff that has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus? Why don’t we call it “advent” or “the nativity” and quietly honor the Lord with worship, adoration, and simple, heartfelt expressions of appreciation? Why don’t we focus on loving the Lord, then concentrate on showing the world around us that we are a gracious, loving people who can be wonderfully happy in our faith without freaking out when someone wishes us “Happy Holidays!”
I just don’t want to fight anymore!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Another Pastor Confesses!
I have an embarrassing confession to make . . .
For a number of years I have been engaging in activity that some Christians believe is spiritually inappropriate and compromising, especially for a pastor. I once had a family leave the church because they caught me performing this horrifying habit. It's not a problem most of the year, but I give in to the temptation early in November every year. This has been going on for at least seven years . . . or maybe it started . . .
In 1992, while between pastoral positions (waiting for “the big church” to call), I took a job as a Santa in the nearby mall. I was working as a certificated sub in a local school district, trying to make ends meet. So, playing Santa during the Christmas vacation was a good economic decision. It was tough work, but I enjoyed it!
About 10 years later, two years after arriving in Templeton, I was asked to play Santa at the “Cowboy Christmas” sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in the local park. I rode in on a restored stage coach. Hundreds of people cheered and waved as I belted out my best “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” I was hooked!
For the past three years I’ve been Santa for Christmas activities hosted by a local foster care, family-intervention agency.
This year I will make a total of four appearances as Santa Claus. I work full-time in a secular job. I fill many nights and all weekends with my pastoral ministry. Do I really have time to hop around in a red suit hollering “Ho! Ho! Ho!”? So, why do I do it? SOMEBODY, PLEASE TELL ME WHY!
They line up and wait. One at a time, the children come forward. I squint at each one (a “Santa smile”) and say “Hello, thank you for coming to see Santa!” For a moment, each kid has my attention. I ask them if they’ve been good and encourage them to help their family with chores. I ask them about school and tell them an education is important. Of course, I ask them what they want for Christmas. I tell them to keep up the good work. And then I wish them a Merry Christmas . . . something you won’t hear in many places today!
Being Santa for foster kids is especially rewarding . . . the experience is almost inexpressible. Imagine asking a little boy what he wants for Christmas, and he says, “I want my mom to get off drugs.” Imagine a little girl saying, “I want my family to be together again!” When I volunteer with the foster care organization, I actually tell the kids, “Merry Christmas and God bless you!”
So, I play Santa because I believe. I believe I’m a good Santa. I believe I’m telling fellow members of the Chamber of Commerce that Reverend Purdy and his congregation care about the community. I believe I’m doing something that is strangely akin to Jesus taking the children in his arms and blessing them. Each child reminds me that the Kingdom belongs to “such as these.” I believe God is pleased with my service as a Santa.
That’s why I do it.
For a number of years I have been engaging in activity that some Christians believe is spiritually inappropriate and compromising, especially for a pastor. I once had a family leave the church because they caught me performing this horrifying habit. It's not a problem most of the year, but I give in to the temptation early in November every year. This has been going on for at least seven years . . . or maybe it started . . .
In 1992, while between pastoral positions (waiting for “the big church” to call), I took a job as a Santa in the nearby mall. I was working as a certificated sub in a local school district, trying to make ends meet. So, playing Santa during the Christmas vacation was a good economic decision. It was tough work, but I enjoyed it!
About 10 years later, two years after arriving in Templeton, I was asked to play Santa at the “Cowboy Christmas” sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in the local park. I rode in on a restored stage coach. Hundreds of people cheered and waved as I belted out my best “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” I was hooked!
For the past three years I’ve been Santa for Christmas activities hosted by a local foster care, family-intervention agency.
This year I will make a total of four appearances as Santa Claus. I work full-time in a secular job. I fill many nights and all weekends with my pastoral ministry. Do I really have time to hop around in a red suit hollering “Ho! Ho! Ho!”? So, why do I do it? SOMEBODY, PLEASE TELL ME WHY!
They line up and wait. One at a time, the children come forward. I squint at each one (a “Santa smile”) and say “Hello, thank you for coming to see Santa!” For a moment, each kid has my attention. I ask them if they’ve been good and encourage them to help their family with chores. I ask them about school and tell them an education is important. Of course, I ask them what they want for Christmas. I tell them to keep up the good work. And then I wish them a Merry Christmas . . . something you won’t hear in many places today!
Being Santa for foster kids is especially rewarding . . . the experience is almost inexpressible. Imagine asking a little boy what he wants for Christmas, and he says, “I want my mom to get off drugs.” Imagine a little girl saying, “I want my family to be together again!” When I volunteer with the foster care organization, I actually tell the kids, “Merry Christmas and God bless you!”
So, I play Santa because I believe. I believe I’m a good Santa. I believe I’m telling fellow members of the Chamber of Commerce that Reverend Purdy and his congregation care about the community. I believe I’m doing something that is strangely akin to Jesus taking the children in his arms and blessing them. Each child reminds me that the Kingdom belongs to “such as these.” I believe God is pleased with my service as a Santa.
That’s why I do it.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
310project
I’m blogging! Will wonders never cease?
Why? I know a number of people who blog, but most of them are proven and published writers, which is a viable reason to blog. My son, Homer III, blogs . . . maybe I just want to be like my son!
WWJD? Imagine a first century with the internet . . . would Jesus blog? You might catch his latest teaching at “RabbifromGalilee.blogspot.com.”
What would Jesus blog? Jesus might publish the beatitudes . . . or a parable . . . can you imagine logging on to the first century internet and reading His latest blog: “Woe to You Scribes, Pharisees!”
Paul was an apostle with a proclivity for epistles; no doubt he would have blogged a few messages about matters on his heart. Well, he probably would have dictated his thoughts to a geek-scribe.
There’s no convincing reason for my decision to blog . . . perhaps I can provoke some thought and a little dialog. Maybe there will be some entertainment value to my blog. For some it might be like watching the early auditions for American Idol . . . I can do fingernails on a chalkboard real well! (For those of you who have no idea what a chalkboard is, you’ve missed the thrill of a lifetime!)
The most challenging aspect of launching my own blog involved the choice of a title. I thought, “This will be easy . . . clickety, click, click, click, and submit . . . who would want that one?” Pause. “Sorry, that choice is not available; try again!” (This is me, staring at the screen, appearing comatose.) After three futile suggestions, a blog ID was finally accepted: 310project.
Anyone want to guess what that means? Post a comment!
Uh, no Son . . . it’s not the goal of my next diet. (Thanks. Thank you! Thanks a lot!) Actually, that was pretty close. It is a reference to a personal project.
I am a project. God’s still working on me. By His grace, I am His workmanship. He’s working in everything for my good, because I love Him and I’m called according to His purpose.
I’m trying to work with God. He wants me to be more like His Firstborn Son, and that’s what I want too! I surely don’t want to be uncooperative with God. I don’t want to be apathetic or disinterested either! I want to be a worker together with God in this project.
I am nurturing a heart that says, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” That’s from Philippians chapter three, verse ten. I believe that attitude will keep me in the place where God and I can work most effectively on our project.
Philippians 3:10 . . . I’m a project . . . 310project!
I want to know Jesus Christ more than ever before!
Why? I know a number of people who blog, but most of them are proven and published writers, which is a viable reason to blog. My son, Homer III, blogs . . . maybe I just want to be like my son!
WWJD? Imagine a first century with the internet . . . would Jesus blog? You might catch his latest teaching at “RabbifromGalilee.blogspot.com.”
What would Jesus blog? Jesus might publish the beatitudes . . . or a parable . . . can you imagine logging on to the first century internet and reading His latest blog: “Woe to You Scribes, Pharisees!”
Paul was an apostle with a proclivity for epistles; no doubt he would have blogged a few messages about matters on his heart. Well, he probably would have dictated his thoughts to a geek-scribe.
There’s no convincing reason for my decision to blog . . . perhaps I can provoke some thought and a little dialog. Maybe there will be some entertainment value to my blog. For some it might be like watching the early auditions for American Idol . . . I can do fingernails on a chalkboard real well! (For those of you who have no idea what a chalkboard is, you’ve missed the thrill of a lifetime!)
The most challenging aspect of launching my own blog involved the choice of a title. I thought, “This will be easy . . . clickety, click, click, click, and submit . . . who would want that one?” Pause. “Sorry, that choice is not available; try again!” (This is me, staring at the screen, appearing comatose.) After three futile suggestions, a blog ID was finally accepted: 310project.
Anyone want to guess what that means? Post a comment!
Uh, no Son . . . it’s not the goal of my next diet. (Thanks. Thank you! Thanks a lot!) Actually, that was pretty close. It is a reference to a personal project.
I am a project. God’s still working on me. By His grace, I am His workmanship. He’s working in everything for my good, because I love Him and I’m called according to His purpose.
I’m trying to work with God. He wants me to be more like His Firstborn Son, and that’s what I want too! I surely don’t want to be uncooperative with God. I don’t want to be apathetic or disinterested either! I want to be a worker together with God in this project.
I am nurturing a heart that says, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” That’s from Philippians chapter three, verse ten. I believe that attitude will keep me in the place where God and I can work most effectively on our project.
Philippians 3:10 . . . I’m a project . . . 310project!
I want to know Jesus Christ more than ever before!
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