Negotiating

The time of year just passed when we all went out and hit the stores looking for the gifts that our loved ones will truly cherish.  We looked through the store ads and went from store to store hunting for just that perfect item.  Some of us even went so far as to haggle on a price or features for the items that we were looking to purchase.  We might have gotten a free extended warranty or the price chopped off at this store because another store has it cheaper.

It’s all of those negotiations that has me thinking this week.  How often have you negotiated with God?  You know, you tell God that you are only going to sin this one last time, and because you did it you’ll then never do it again, or give to some cause.  Have you ever done that?  Maybe you skipped church today and instead will make sure to pray every day this week.  The next question is how often did you hold up the other end of that bargain you were trying to negotiate?

Today I just want to remind you that God doesn't want to negotiate.  He has set forth his terms way before you and I were born.  They are all listed in the Bible.  We can take them or leave them.  God wants each and every one of us to have a relationship with Him.  He is waiting for all of us with arms wide open.  God doesn’t say that you have to feed the hungry (although it’s a wonderful thing to do) before He will love you.  Instead, He just loves you.  God wants you to believe in Him and all that He is doing, and to be a part of it all.  So stop trying to make deals, just give yourself to God and enjoy a wonderful life with Him.

Christmas Music Again – We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Yes, I do realize that Christmas has passed, but to me all year it’s Christmas time.  As a believer in the one true God I am willing to celebrate Him every day, and I hope you feel the same.  So, I felt like concluding this series with one last Christmas song to ponder.  Read the words here of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and I’ll discuss it further below:

We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; 
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; 
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; 
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer
We won't go until we get some; 
We won't go until we get some; 
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas; 
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I feel, that this is a good song to end with because to me it’s unending, just like the Christmas season.  We wish the world a Merry Christmas and bring everyone good tidings on a regular basis.  When we show others the love of Christ daily we’re really doing just that.  You can help an old lady cross the street and show His love.  You can help someone fix their computer, or counsel someone through a rough situation and show His love as well. 

Today as you start to progress into the new year I want to make sure everyone remembers that Christmas isn’t a once-a-year kind of thing.  Jesus isn’t a season, to me He’s a way of life.  I pray that you feel the same way and share that feeling with others.  Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. 

Now go watch some football!

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

I first heard this song a few years ago when my friend Larry Lepard and I went to a Casting Crowns Christmas concert in Kentucky.  The entire trip was fun and the concert was really moving.  What hit me the most from the concert was this one song.  It’s become one of my favorite songs since hearing their version and I’ve had it planted firmly in my Christmas song rotation since then.  Read the words here and then I’ll discuss it further after:

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

And the bells are ringing
(Peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing
(Peace on earth)

In my heart I hear them
(Peace on earth)
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

But the bells are ringing
(Peace on earth)
Like a choir singing
(Peace on earth)

Does anybody hear them?
(Peace on earth)
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
(Peace on earth, peace on earth)
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, goodwill to men

Then ringing singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men

And the bells, they're ringing
(Peace on earth)
Like a choir they're singing
(Peace on earth)

And with our hearts we'll hear them
(Peace on earth)
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

Do you hear the bells, they're ringing?
(Peace on earth)
The life the angels singing
(Peace on earth)

Open up your heart and hear them
(Peace on earth)
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

Peace on earth, peace on earth
Peace on earth, goodwill to men

To me this is one of the most powerful Christmas songs I’ll hear during the Christmas season.  I’m sure you could pull multiple different parts from this song, but for me I focus on the bells and their ringing, just like a choir singing.  If there is any time of the year that people are more open to the Gospel it’s now, especially a day like today.  The bells of the Gospel are always ringing, but there is a good chance that some may be hearing them now for the first time.  God is finding a way to get the lost to hear Him, just as He always does.  But there are people now hearing those bells and responding!

If that doesn’t get you excited as a Christian, then I don’t know what will.  God is ringing those bells and trying to get others to follow Him.  He is seeking that Peace on earth!  I don’t know about you, but I want to be a part of that!  And as you continue with your Christmas festivities and hear this song, I pray that you hear the words and that they affect your life.  I know they do mine every time I hear them.

Christmas Music Again – Feliz Navidad

If you know me personally at all, you know that this is by far one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs.  I have many great Christmas day memories, and many of them involve this great song playing in the background.  It’s more than just a great song though, as you’ll see by reviewing the words, and then I’ll discuss it more below:

Feliz Navidad 
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Año y Felicidad.

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Año y Felicidad.
[ Lyrics from:

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart.

[Repeats]

Now, I know when you look at this song it looks like a pretty simple song that just says the same thing over and over again.  Frankly, that is a pretty good summary of the song.  However, it’s when you hear the song that, in my mind, you get a true feeling for the song.  For me it’s the way that the words are said that truly makes it special.  It’s so upbeat and cheerful.  The person singing it is so happy about the fact that Christmas is here that they had to exclaim it over and over again.

This is the way I believe we should feel about being Christians.  We should want to exclaim it over and over again for the world to hear.  People hearing us should not just hear that we’re happy about being Christian, but they should also feel just how true those words are to us!

To me sometimes it’s the simple things like this song that really hit home.  Feliz Navidad!  Not only am I happy about the fact that we’re about to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but I’m willing to exclaim it for all the world to hear.  When have you felt that way?  I pray that the rest of the Christmas season when you hear this song that you get to hear and feel the joy that this song brings.  Then I pray you are moved to share all of that with others.  Feliz Navidad!

Christmas Music Again – Mary Did You Know

Once again this week I’m delving into some of the great music of the Christmas season.  Many of these songs really hit home when you listen to the words, and today I have another one of those songs for you.  Please read the lyrics of this song and then I’ll discuss it further below:

Mary did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know 

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will walk again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb 

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

-Composed By Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

Just like with last week’s song “The Little Drummer Boy”, we have a song about someone who was willing to go along with God’s plan.  I don’t think anyone could tell me that Mary fully understood what she was getting herself into when she was told she was going to be a virgin mother.  She did know that the path she was going to go down wasn’t going to be easy.  She wasn’t married to Joseph, and yet she was pregnant.  The other people around her weren’t going to believe her as to, why she was pregnant, and yet she was willing anyway.

Mary is another great example for the world.  She didn’t know what God was getting her into, but she knew enough to trust His plan for her.  And without her willingness to go along with that plan all of our lives could have been different. 

How wonderful is it to be used by God?!  Well, if we keep coming up with reasons why we can’t or won’t do something for Him then we’ll never fully experience all the blessing that He has in store for us.  I pray that when you hear this song the rest of the Christmas season that you hear it a little differently and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be more open to allowing God to work in you and through you.

Christmas Music Again – Intro & The Little Drummer Boy

Back in 2010 I did a little series here in my blog on Christmas music.  I briefly touched on the subject and some of my favorites, and I feel this is the year to revisit that subject.  I hope you enjoy, and feel free to go back and re-read (or read for the first time) some of what I discussed way back two years ago!

When it comes to Christmas music I always have fond memories.  I always go back to Christmas morning when my parents always had the local radio station on, and they played pretty much the same tracks in the same order year after year.  Now I don’t say that in a bad way, as I can still name them off almost in order from the time I woke up to the time I left the room to go try out some of the new stuff.

So, in this month's blogs, I'm going to review some of those songs that I have loved to hear year after year.  I hope it’ll take you back to fond Christmas memories as well, and maybe give you a different look at some of these great songs.

Today’s song:  The Little Drummer Boy

First I’d like to start off with the words from the song.  I hope you will indulge me by reading them and then continuing on after:

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

What I really love about this song (other than its having a great bass line for those of us who sing bass) is the example that this little boy gives the world.  The boy was told to do something and he didn't question the orders, he just did as he was told.  He was told to show up and be there for something huge.  He didn't ask anyone if he should go, he just went.  He showed up to be there as instructed.  He didn't come with expensive gifts or anything else, he just showed up as he was.  He did the best he could with what he had and was able to fulfill what was requested of him.  What an example!

I think all too often we hear God calling us to do something, but we start to ask too many questions.  God leads us to pray for someone, and we ask why?  We hear God telling us to go somewhere, and instead of just going we wait to see if He will tell us why we are going.  Why can’t we just listen and do as instructed?  Why can’t we just go and show up and do as instructed without all the questions?

Today I want to encourage all of you to think about this song when you hear it this Christmas season.  The whole reason for the season is Jesus, and maybe when He is leading us to do something, well maybe we should just do it.  The little drummer boy not only listened, but he also made Jesus happy by being there and doing what came naturally.  I don’t know about you, but I want to be just like that little boy!

It’s Almost Time For A Party

That is right, we’re less than a week away from the holiday that celebrates Jesus’ birth!  How exciting is this day?!

That’s right, it’s not about the presents we get, the lights we put up, Santa, Rudolph, or even spending time with our families.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love all of those things.  But, the most important thing – the thing we should be focused on…is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He was sent to the earth to not only to show you how to have a relationship with God the Father, but to die to make sure we should get to Heaven!  How selfless is that?

So, this week I just want to make sure we retain our focus this holiday season.  It’s almost Christmas time.  Let’s celebrate the Baby Boy who came here to save us all!

Merry Christmas!

Lights!

Years ago when my kids were first old enough to do it, our family started playing a game we call lights.  What it requires is family members to be in the car, and for Christmas lights to be on at people’s houses as we pass by.  The first person to spot the lights and declare that they’ve seen them gets a point.  Now, frankly we don’t keep score, instead it’s just something fun to do.  It’s something we do as a family, and other than the gas – it costs us nothing.  The thing is, we don’t go out just to play, we play everywhere and anywhere we go when the lights are up this time of year.

Why do I mention this?  It’s because one of my focuses in this blog is helping people with their family lives.  This is something you can do as a family that is cheap and just adds to something you’d already be doing.  The goal should be to keep growing together as a family.

Oh, and I forgot to mention this earlier….once you do this a few times, you don’t need to remember to do it.  The kids will remember.  In fact, not only will they remember the next car ride, but they’ll also remember the next year when the lights come on again.  Kids love this kind of thing, and the fact that you do it together will build a lasting memory that they’ll enjoy for the rest of their lives.  It may even create a family tradition, as it has in my family. 

So what are you waiting for?  It’s time to play LIGHTS!

Gift Giving Time

Well, it’s that time of year again.  The Christmas music has already begun in some stores, and they are lining up to take our money for the many gifts we’re all going to be buying this year.  Now I’m a shopper, so I enjoy this time of year.  I enjoy searching for deals and getting my family gifts that they’ll enjoy at lower prices so that I can buy them more gifts.  I like meeting people while I’m shopping…the general good mood that most people are in (there are exceptions). 

With all of that said, I would like to point out one thing.  As much as I love to give gifts to my family, the best gift I can give them is my showing them how to have God as a part of their lives and discipling them through that relationship.  I know that often I write about reaching others for Christ, and most of the time that focuses on those in the community, at work, etc.  Well, your most attentive audience is probably in your own home, and often we do a horrible job at discipling them because we think they are just going to do what we do.

This week, I just want to remind everyone to be intentional as you go through this holiday season.  Make sure that your family knows not just that you are a Christian, but also WHY you are a Christian and how you live that life every day.  Don’t just assume that they know.  It takes practice for all of us to grow as Christians, but it also takes instruction for us to show others the right way to live their lives.

This is one gift you can give this Christmas that will keep on giving.              

Stuff

I tell you what, we’re coming up on one of my favorite times of the year. I just love Thanksgiving and Christmas time as most people really start to focus on family. There are tons of events to go to and time spent with others. Most people seem to be in a better mood, even here in Ohio where it’s freezing cold most of the time.

With that said, I’m sure you’re starting to wonder why I titled the blog the way I did. Well, with this time of year comes Christmas shopping. It’s the time when we all fight through the crowds and get stuff to show others how much we care about them. Now, I cherish these events so don’t take what I’m about to say the wrong way. I love to give gifts to others. I love the look on someone’s face as they get that very thoughtful or desired gift. I also love to get gifts and gain new things. But, let me stop right there for a minute…

You see, I want to remind everyone today that in the long run those gifts are mostly just stuff that fills our lives in one way or another. These are items that we didn’t have before and are probably not really needs but more or less wants. Yes, some gifts do fill a need that you had, or you wouldn’t have asked for it. But, most items are more like the add-ons that you purchase with a vehicle. I mean, do you need power windows and doors? Probably not, but they are nice to have. Same thing with the A/C and cruise control, right? The same thing goes for the stuff that we get at the holidays. Do you need a new set of Japanese steak knives, or did you want them? Do they somehow improve your quality of life (other than when eating steak?)?

As we head into the holidays this year I wanted to put everyone to the test this year. I want to challenge you to look at the stuff in your life that the world says you should need. Look at those things and see if they are helping you get to God, or keeping you apart from Him. Do they eat up the time you could spend with Him or for His Kingdom? If you really wanted to give someone a gift, maybe the best thing you could give them is your time. Maybe that time allows you to get Jesus into their lives or helps them get a better relationship with Him.

I’m not saying that this year you shouldn’t give the fun little gifts that you have a knack for giving. What I want to stress is that this year, if you haven’t already, start to look for gifts that can keep on giving. Give a friend a coupon to baby-sit their kids for a night so they can spend time with their spouse, getting them closer to each other and God at the same time. Give your children your time and attention, playing that game you give them this Christmas. Give your parents the love that your Heavenly Father shows you daily. All of these gifts can multiply themselves and also be paired with that item you find on Black Friday. (I’ll be out there with you other nut cases as I have been for the past 16 years.) Gift the gift of Jesus into the lives of everyone you contact, and this year your gift won’t just be on the shelf with the other stuff you’ve given before.