Deck the Halls…

Last year I wrote a blog on myspace about Christmas. If you want to read it, go here. Last year I was actually a little vague about the reasons I hated Christmas. In truth, when I went back and read it this year I realized part of the problem. I was just as guilty of being selfish and fake as the rest of the world around me. I may have not been overly happy or exceptionally bubbly. I may not like caroling or Christmas parties. But, I had my ideas of what I wanted my life to be at Christmas. When these ideas weren’t fulfilled I got angry and basically threw a tantrum. This year, I still don’t like Christmas. But, after some prodding (thanks Amy) I have decided to make the best of this year. I have decided if for no other reason I should be filled with Joy because of the birth of Christ.

Joy. Last night at life group my friend Mike (who happens to be hearing impaired) came into my friend’s home. He saw their HUGE (let me reiterate HUGE) tree. He lit up, and began to smile. At the end of the night he signed something to me that was quite humbling and true. “We all need God’s joy.” Such a simple statement; yet it is so true.
So this morning I go up and came out to the church to work on various Youth Group things, and decided to see what God said about joy. What does he say?

1 Chronicles 16:27
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.

Nehemiah 8:10
“…Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 33:1
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Psalm 47:1
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always;

Wow! There is so much to be said here. His joy is where he is (1 Chronicles 16:27). That puts a lot of responsibility on me. Since the Holy Spirit dwells within me his is always with me. I am his dwelling place, and therefore, joy should be in me. I should be strengthen by his joy (Nehemiah 8:10). He is worthy of my joy (Psalm 33:1). I should let the joy be shown to those around me (Psalm 47:1). I should always be full of joy (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

The only other verse was Luke 2:10. This was when the angels of God were proclaiming the birth of Christ. Christ is the Joy that is for all people. We should always remember that.

Regardless of what is going on around us this holiday we should hold onto our joy. Christ came into this world to save me, and that should be more than enough reason to be full of joy.
So, without further adieu, this year I have decided to find a love for Christmas again. Be patient with me though guys; old habits are hard to break. If you catch me at the right time I might even be willing to sing a Christmas carol or wear a pink shirt.

Merry Christmas, everybody.

…by what?

Last night I was in the midst of a great spiritual discussion. These aren’t your standard fly-by-night “Bible thumpers”. These folks really get to the heart and meat of what walking in Christ is all about. (Thanks to all of you, especially some people that don’t mind speaking their minds. – You know who you are.)
The conversation really turned into a conversation about spiritual transformation. At least that’s the principle that kept kicking me in the head. You see throughout my life and in particular the last four years, or so, I have been very “lazy”. I have been lazy in a lot of areas; my dress, my speech, and especially in emotional areas. I have been fortunate to have a pastor (and pastor’s wife) that have been willing to grab me by the scruff of the neck and shake me straight when I have been slipping.
They have time and time again kept me in check on many issues. Dressing well is an area I can recall several discussions about. Also searching for a wife and being a good husband. “If you turn into a jerk; I’m going to beat you.” Last night in the midst of the discussion I had an epiphany, if you will. A large part of my “laziness” has been due to my perception what I think of myself. I have never thought of myself as an attractive person, I feel like I lack in the realm of personality, even as though I am unworthy of even the love of Christ. This list could go on for a while so I won’t bore you. I need to be transformed, but I will never get to that place of being “new” until everything has changed (especially my mind). The scripture tells us this.

Romans 12:2
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The key is in my head. Once I can change my thinking I will have the ability to move forward and truly transform. But, that is a huge problem. I can’t do it alone. I need help, and I have the ultimate help.

Philippians 4:7
7And (A)the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will (B)guard your hearts and your (C)minds in (D)Christ Jesus.

So, one of the weapons is the peace of God. What on earth does that mean? Try putting your armor on.

Ephesians 6:15
…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

The gospel is in fact the way to find that peace and once we find that peace we can…
2 Corinthians 10:5
5We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Only then will we truly be able to renew our minds and be transformed into that “new creation” Christ would have us be. We will be creatures that are more like Him. Take a moment each day and spend time with God. Allow Him to Minster to you. Get in the Word!!! It is such an important tool Renew, renew, renew….. Be transformed.

Clean out your car!!!

            This week has been interesting; between passing out at school and lock-ins for the youth group. I certainly have had a constant nag of discomfort (so to speak). But, at least, I learned several lessons this week through my mishaps.

            Friday (the day I passed out) I was going to clean my car. I mean CLEAN, a complete overhaul. I spent so much time cleaning the inside; I am almost certain you could eat off of the dashboard. The interior if my car bordered on disgusting. There were piles of trash old clothes. I’m even certain I had food bits in there somewhere. 

          I dug all of the trash out. I removed the clothing and I even vacuumed. I was thinking, “Man I’ve really got this thing clean.” That was when I noticed the steering wheel my cup holder. I even began noticing the paneling on my door. There was a gummy greasy residue on nearly everything vinyl. It was composed of my old skin and sweat and “who knows” what else. I went to work, spraying things down with my “orange cleaner” (thanks dollar store). I scrubbed and I scrubbed, finally I had removed any sign of this nauseating film. It was here I realized; “It is much harder to keep the inside clean; than to keep the outside clean.”            

How true is this for our spiritual lives? So often we worry so much about how we appear to the outside world. We work extra hard to make sure we appear “clean”. Unfortunately, we neglect the inside. We neglect keeping the very place clean that our “driver” sits.

Matthew 23: 25-27

25“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.27

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.    

         Go clean your cars out!

How a mess get’s cleaned up.

This afternoon has drug along like a lame snail. I have spent 60% of my day making up for procrastination earlier this semester. It seemed as though I would never get through the mess I had made. This got me thing (lots of things do that nowadays).When I was younger (High School) I floundered about desperately trying to run from God and what he wanted to do in my life. Consequently bad choices and foolish opinions caused me to make a mess of my life. I was completely misguided spiritually. I bounced from one spiritual path to the next hoping to find something that I could truly identify with. Buddhism, Atheism, Agnosticism, and even Witchcraft; all of these failed to feed me. They failed to direct me to a life of meaning and real significance. I never found my true significance until I surrendered my life and destiny to Christ. But, what of the mess? What about my past? How could I fix what I did? The truth is the answer is simple, but scary. I couldn’t do anything about anything. The past is the past, and I can’t change it. The glorious thing in it all is Christ changed me. That is where the true power is revealed. I can’t erase what I was or the things I did. But, Jesus could make me a new creature. And he did. When we decide to stop running from who we are, and stop trying to change the things we have done. When we choose to accept the gift of salvation and forgiveness Christ has lain before us; that is when he can reveal his true power. Let Jesus do his thing. Let him remake you from the inside out.