December, 2011

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COUNTDOWN

Friday, December 30th, 2011

IT IS INEVITABLE!

The ball dropping.

People blowing horns and whatever those little horn-like things are called.

People using those irritating noise-makers.

THE COUNTDOWN TO 2012. 

10-

9-

8-

7-

6-

5-

4-

3-

2-

1

BINGO!

WELCOME TO 2012!!!!!!!!!!!

Meanwhile, Bill sleeps away.  Yeah, I’m a weanie.  Besides the fact that it is a Saturday night and I get up at 3:00 on Sunday morning to do “my thing.”  I polish my studying.  I make my “cheat sheet” for my Bible, since I don’t use a pulpit. (Old minds can only memorize so much you know?).  I get things set up.  I pray for my heart, and for those who will be there.  Staying up late is not on my agenda.  So chances are good I will be dead to the world come midnight. 

Who knows what 2012 will bring?  I certainly don’t.  You don’t either. Oh, not that we wouldn’t mind having a hand in making our future year a bright one. But we don’t.  I prefer to trust the ONE who does. 

AND WHO KNOWS!!! MAYBE THIS WILL BE THE YEAR THAT JESUS RETURNS!

If it is, GREAT!  If not, then “pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest field.”   Have a fruitful 2012 in every way.  I leave you with this:  (Gotta love the hair)  🙂

http://youtu.be/AyggY_R3jU8

 

DIETING

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! DON’T LEAVE ME YET!!

You probably looked at the title and said, “Aaah man. Can’t he leave that alone for at least a couple more days!  I am gradually recovering from all the Christmas eating and am soooooo looking forward to New Year’s Eve and Day.  Then, I will get serious.”

R. E. L. A. X. !!!

Surprise of all surprises…I am not going to talk about dieting at all.  Well, at least not in the guilt-inducing “you-have-already-eaten-way-too-much” way.   With New Year’s Day being a Sunday, and people suffering from hangovers food binges too late of a night, it may seem to many that preaching a serious type of message is a little bit of a waste.   But I beg to differ.  If I read my Bible correctly, the Word will never return void.  Throughout the month of December, I have invited the church I pastor (and you vicariously) to come to the feast of Joy, Love, Hope, and Peace.  This message will be a wrap up of that series but also a forward challenge for 2012.

MY THEME FOR 2012 IS

T. R. A. N. S. F. O. R. M. E. D.

While at theSticks conference this past October, I heard the following quotes.  Hold on to your seats!

“God is transforming us for where He is going to take us.”

“Transformation happens when we allow the Spirit to transform the heart of the leader to see Jesus Christ.”

“There is a transformation we go through (ed. note: not just the leader…all of us) before we get to where we need to go.”

When I was considering a theme/idea to focus on for 2012  back in September/October, I began praying, “God, show me where you want me to go and where to take the people.”  I was stumped.  Clueless.  White out.  Blank.  You get my drift.  Sitting at theSticks and listening to the speakers sort of stirred some juices and then Jerome Anderson, a personal friend of Artie Davis, preached about Joseph.  (Those quotes are from his talk). It was like a light clicked on.  I didn’t see any handwriting on the wall.  A spotlight didn’t come down from heaven.  I didn’t see “TRANSFORMED” appear on the big screen (think Field of Dreams).   But deep in my spirit the word resonated and I knew that was it.

TRANSFORMED

To be transformed spiritually will require (for many of us) a new diet.  That will require a new plan to follow.  I will share that plan Sunday with the folks at OVCF.  (Hint: it involves Psalm 37)  I will share it with you next week.  In the meantime, please pray for me and the church.  Several challenges will face us this year-some we already know of.  Thanks.

Do you have a desire to be transformed in 2012?  What plans have you made to see that happen (with God’s power, of course)?  I’d like to hear your thoughts.

AverageJoe

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Average Joe

“Come sit down with me.  Grab yourself a cup of coffee (Diet Dr. Pepper in my case).  Let’s talk.”  That is how I felt as I opened this book and began to read.

But first, let me introduce this relative unknown person to you.  Back in 2004, my mother was dying of cancer.  I was making a 4 1/2 trip (one way) by turnpike from Ohio to Pennsylvania every week-for 6 weeks.  It was during that time I heard of Kim Meeder and Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch.   Kim was a new author of a book I found called Hope Rising.  I am a “sucker” for stories rising from ashes, and Kim’s book was about the ranch she and Troy started in Oregon, in order to rescue horses.  At the same time, rescuing horses became synonymous with rescuing lives.  I wrote Kim about the ranch and received a personal reply.  I rode a different type of steed-one with two wheels instead of four legs-but her personal reply was gold to me.  It included a prayer for my mother’s comfort and my ability to deal with the strain of travel and eventual loss of my mother.  I have never forgotten that.

In so many respects, because of her writing (2 other books and now the release of a new one), Troy has been the unsung partner, so to speak.  No longer.  If you are looking for a book that is written in a good-old-cowboy-way of  “here pull up a chair and sit a spell” then this book will strike a chord.  Many men’s books are written in a “sermon style” or a “I learned this so I want to teach you how to learn it also” style.  Sort of standoffish, if you know what I mean.  At times, they are almost like a preacher/teacher and student approach.  Not this one. Not Troy.  As I read this book, I got the feeling like Troy was sitting next to me talking and laughing and sharing.  No uppity stuff.  No feeling like he was better than me.  He takes every day events and uses them to bring his point home.  What I like is this book is a not a sermon retread made into a book.  I don’t even know if Troy preaches.  I suspect he feels much more comfortable in his jeans, pitching hay, leading a horse (or better yet, riding one), than he feels in a pulpit.  I READ HIS HEART.  That is about THE BEST thing I can say about someone.  This book also includes a study guide for personal or group use.

I trust Troy and Kim and still support what they do at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch.   I think you will too.  All I ask is that you check out CPYR.  While you are at it, check out Average Joe. (You might also want to check out Kim’s books as well).

And while you are at it, I ought to let you know that I bought this book on my own.  I was not asked to do a review.  Sadly, I have put it off for far too long (since August). That is my disclosure. 

SecondWind

Monday, December 26th, 2011

WORDS COME TO MIND:

GASP!!!  GULP!!!  SWALLOW!!  WHAT A RELIEF!! 

When I was a kid there was a commercial that had the tag line:  “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, Oh what a relief it is!”  For the uninitiated, that was the Alka Seltzer commercial with Speedy.  I suspect there are many of you who have welcomed some relief this time of the year.  In fact, you relish the time between Christmas and New Year’s, if for no other reason than to get your second wind.  You poke the air out of your belly for a bit of relief, so you can be ready for the typical New Year’s Eve and Day gorging festivities.   🙂  The Grandi clan had a double overdose: food and family.  Our humble abode housed a Queen bed (ours); a single bed (extra room); and 3 blow up mattresses (one in the Bowflex room, one in the living room, and one in my ManCave) for a total of 7 people.  Sunday 3 of them left.  Today Tami leaves.  Tomorrow Jo takes her sister home (but Jo is returning).

OUR TIME TOGETHER WAS FULL BUT FUN.

Jo’s sister has been visiting with us for two weeks.  Tami came in early Friday afternoon.  Janna, Jason and Braden came in late Friday night.

The church I pastor had a Christmas Eve meal for the community and delivered meals to shut ins.  (Total of 90)

Sunday morning I broke my study routine to deliver meals to personnel at 3 different gas stations who had to work Christmas Day (total of 8).  Someone else took meals to EMT and police.

We broke tradition by opening gifts Christmas Eve because the 3 had to head back to Ohio in the afternoon.

I rode Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (yes Christmas Eve day) and found out that I was 12 miles short of riding 100 for the week (been a couple of months since I saw that number) when I entered my mileage into Daily Mile.   (Update: I rode 21 miles on Christmas Day after the kids left-and while others took naps- to top 100).  😀

Oh yeah, I also studied and then preached Sunday morning.  😉

In all that “mess” I also finished Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas.   Almost 600 pages that started slowly but caught me and I was hooked.  What a great read!  I would definitely recommend it for 2012.  Bonhoeffer spent Christmas at Tegel prison in 1943.  He wrote the following in a paper distributed to all prisoners:

O God,

Early in the morning do I cry unto thee.

Help me to pray,

And to think only of thee.

I cannot pray alone. 

In me there is darkness,

But with thee there is light.

I am lonely, but thou leavest me not.

I am feeble in heart, but thou leavest me not.

I am restless, but with thee there is peace.

In me there is bitterness, but with thee there is patience;

Thy ways are past understanding, but

Thou knowest the way for me.

Have to admit I had a little trouble with the King James.  🙂  But what a powerful prayer!  It is also one that fits us today.  Take some time today (or this week) to work your way slowly through it.  Do you have any “quick” thoughts about it?  What was your Christmas like? What did you do to get your second wind? 

PEACE

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is considered by many to be America’s greatest poet.  Even now, over 130 years after his death, he is still seen as a giant in literature.  He once said,

Believe me, every man has his secret sorrows, which the world knows not; and oftentimes we call a man cold, when he is only sad.

He was writing from experience.  Long story short: he was married in 1831 and by 1834 had a wonderful wife, a dynamic reputation, and a house overlooking the Charles River.  He seemed to have it all, but within a year of moving to that new house, his wife became ill and died.  It took him 7 years to recover enough to marry again.  He soon had 5 children running around; had written The Song of Hiawatha and The Courtship of Miles Standish.  At the height of his greatness, tragedy struck again.  His wife’s dress caught fire and she burned to death.  Then his faith was challenged by the Civil War.

Longfellow hated the CW-it tore at his heart to see the land he loved to be so fractured.  He was an ardent believer in the power of God to move on earth, and he pleaded with God to end the madness.  When his oldest son was injured during the war, while tending to his wounds and seeing others suffer as he was, HWL penned some famous words: “I heard the bells on Christmas day/Their old familiar carols play/And wild and sweet the words repeat/ Of peace on earth good will to men…And in despair I bowed my head: ‘There is no peace on earth I said/For hate is strong that mocks the song/Of peace on earth, good will to men.” 

Those words are just as contemporary today as they were when he penned them.  We all long for peace.  The cry of peace today is no different than the cry of peace in the ’60s (my era).  Methods may be somewhat different, but the sentiment is the same.  We all want to live in a world free of strife.

NEWS FLASH!  AIN’T.  GOING.  TO.  HAPPEN!!! 

The angel told the shepherds, “I bring you Good News of great joy. ..Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE among those with whom He is pleased.”  God offers peace.  Not world peace.  Not a Peace Sign.  Not a two-digit finger salute.   Real peace, but not the kind that can be found by earthly means.  His peace is for real.  His peace is internal. THIS WILL BE MY THOUGHT EXPRESSED CHRISTMAS SUNDAY MORNINGAny thoughts you care to share with me/us?

This post concludes my Christmas posts.  My next post will be on Tuesday, December 27th.  I will answer comments.  I will read some blogs.  But, for the most part, I am going to take a few days off from blogging.

I. TRULY. WISH. ALL. OF. YOU. A. CHRIST-FILLED. CHRISTMAS. 

ENJOY. FAMILY. AND. FRIENDS. 

REFLECT. ON. GOD’S. PERFECT. GIFT. 

TheEnd

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

There is a feeling common to most of us.  It is not laughter or sadness; it is not competitiveness or “what will be will be”; it is not hype or being laid back; it is not high energy or laissez faire (spell check has fun with that one).   The feeling we all experience from time to time is giving up.  Knowing when to quit is different than giving up.  There is a sort of brokenness with giving up, a drop of the shoulders, of defeat.  Whereas, knowing when to quit can have more to do with knowing it is the end and it is time to shut it down.

Into the life of every person…every pastor…there comes a moment when the realization hits: it is over.  I am done.  I can do no more.  That can happen in so many different ways.  A difficult person finally has poisoned enough until one has to say, “Enough is enough. I have given it my all and things aren’t going to get any better.”   At other times it can simply be the realization that your influence and ability to lead has come to an end, and it is better to fold the blanket and close the door before things deteriorate.   Sadly, there are also times when the realization comes too late and the door slams in your face.

This doesn’t just apply to pastors though.  Everyone of us is faced with the possibility it is time to move on.  Recently, one of my friends here decided it was time to move on.  I have known he & his family for close to 6 years, and he played the bass in our worship band.  But an unsettledness was nagging him (plus a desire to get out of the cold weather we tend to have).  They moved to Florida when an opportunity arose.  He knew it was time.  (He keeps dropping hints I ought to move there as well). 😛   In the very last chapter of the book, Gordon gives 8 signals that it’s time to leave.  It is written for pastors, but I think applicable to all.

  1. Incompatibility
  2. Immobility
  3. Organizational Transition
  4. Stagnancy
  5. Fatigue
  6. Family Morale
  7. Closings and Openings
  8. Age Factor

Coming to the end of anything can be bittersweet.  It falls on us to make it a good transition.  I tend to look at things as the end of one adventure and the beginning of another.  Who knows where God will take us!!  Have you come to the end of something only to regret it?  What are some thoughts you have carried with you? 

THE END.  FINITO. CONCLUSION.  FINALITY.  OMEGA. TERMINATE.

You get the point.  (I just wanted to see how many words I could come up with). This will be the last post about Gordon MacDonald’s book that Jim and Michael and I have been blogging about.   I hope they have been helpful to you and for you.  I have enjoyed  blogging about a book that has helped change me in several different ways.   You can find more posts if you go into the archives.  Thanks for allowing me to enter your world.

Forgotten

Monday, December 19th, 2011

IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES.  IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES.

So begins the classic novel The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.  I’m going to be very honest to start with:  I dread writing this post, but I also know it has to be written.  Not that I am going to say anything earth-shattering (I hardly ever do), but I feel deep down it must be written.

IN ALL OUR MERRY-MAKING AT CHRISTMAS, THERE IS OFTEN A FORGOTTEN ELEMENT. 

And no, I am not talking about the old Santa vs. Jesus battle. 

BY.  FORGOTTEN.  ELEMENT.  I.  WOULD.  BE.  MORE.  ACCURATE.  TO.  SAY.  FORGOTTEN.  PEOPLE.

You know the ones I am talking about…not the homeless; or the beggar; or the alcoholic under the bridge.  They are important also, but my point in this post is about those we come in contact with every day who do not look forward to Christmas, and cannot find it within themselves to even put up a light or a tree.   The light in their eyes has been dimmed by loss, hurt, pain, or just plain loneliness.  Two memories come back to “haunt” me: the first Christmas after my father-in-law died (1998); and after my mother died (2004).  I loved my f-i-l like he was my own father.   I had family around that year, and we shed some tears together at the realization he was not there (It didn’t help that my oldest wrote a poem in his honor and framed it for all of us).  🙂  I had family around again when I celebrated that first Christmas after mom’s death.

Did you notice the common denominator in both of them?  I had family around.  But how many don’t have family around, and because of that Christmas is a chore?  A testimony to lost love?  A testimony to better happier times?  They may be your next door neighbor.  They may be sitting next to you Sunday in your church gathering.  They may be in the cubicle next to you at work.  They may be waiting on you at the grocery store.  A single mom.  A widow/er.  A divorcee.  In reality, while many are rejoicing, this is the loneliest time for others.  They feel abandoned. Forgotten.  Left out.  A fifth wheel at parties.  Sucker-punched by life and finding it hard to get up.

The question is: what will we I do about it?  Will I just go on as though I don’t care?  Will I close my eyes to the “forgottenness” of others?  Will I buzz through my Christmas season without showing “I see/I care” to someone?  What do you think?  What will you do?  What do you do?  I would like to hear your thoughts.  

The following song is about lost love.  But it also tells how so many feel.  If you go to YouTube and click on “see more” the lyrics will show up.

Phobia

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

LET’S HAVE A LITTLE FUN TO START OUT WITH!  I’m going to give you a phobia…see if you can figure it out.

Hobophobia

Textophobia

Ombrophobia

Syngenesophobia

(How did you do?  Write your answers down and then look at the end.  I will give you the answers).

I am not the first, nor will I be the last to mention phobias, or fear.  Fear is multiple. Fear of spiders.  Fear of mice.  Fear of public speaking.  Fear of the dark. Fears of closed spaces.  Ad infinitum.  Most of us have some type of fear.  I will admit “fear” of being in a car accident and the car catches on fire with me trapped inside. I will also admit to some fear about having a long term debilitating disease

Some have  a fear of the future.  While I am somewhat concerned (slightly less than fear  🙂 ) about my future finances, there are some who spend their days looking for “signs of the times” and worrying.  HOPE, my sermon for this past Sunday, addressed this whole scenario with simple words:

Hope is the confident expectation of future blessings and the best things are ahead.  Hope says good days are coming.  Hope is as bright as the promises of God.   That last phrase is huge to me.  There is not a promise I can name that God has ever not kept.  NONE.

If you will allow me, I would like to share my main thoughts about HOPE from this past Sunday.  They were actually pretty simple, not earth-shattering by any stretch, but they pack a punch. They are all from Luke 1: 26-36

1.  Hope meets us where we are.   [Verses 26-27]  Mary was living in Nazareth, and to be called a Nazarene was derogatory.  (Sorry to all my Naz friends) 😉  Hope was gone for these people…EXCEPT…the hope of the Messiah.

2.  Hope overcomes obstacles. [Verses 28-30]  Gabriel called Mary “favored one.”  She was “freaked out to the max” (loose interpretation of “greatly troubled).”   She found favor where favor was needed to be found…in God.  You can probably already guess what the talk will be when word gets out she is pregnant.

3.  Hope brings a plan.  [Verses 31-33]  The plan was simple.  It was given in verse 31.  God has a plan for the world.  It is tied up in Christ.

4.  Hope is received by faith.  [Verses 34-38]  Faith is believing the Word of God no matter how I feel.  It doesn’t mean you can’t express doubt.  Mary certainly did in verse 34, and she had every right to!  But she also heard words that surely had to ring in her soul.  After telling her about Elizabeth, Gabriel said, “Nothing is impossible with God.”   NOTHING.  NO THING.

It is the promise of this HOPE that keeps me going. What are your thoughts?  How important is HOPE to you?  Can you give any other lesson from this Scripture that I might have missed?  I would love to hear it.

FYI: “We can live 40 days without food, 8 days without water, 4 minutes without air, but only a few seconds without hope.” (See last post)

Answers:  Beggars. Certain fabrics. Rain. Relatives.

 

Hope

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

I heard recently that the average American gains 1-2 pounds during the Christmas holiday.  That means that Americans, as a whole, gain 300 million pounds during the Christmas season.  That is a lot of pounds!  It is a wonder an earthquake doesn’t happen when we walk or when we go to the gym after the first of the year to exercise those pounds away.  🙂  Tragically, all that eating and all that gaining doesn’t take away the desperation so many feel.  In fact, I daresay that many eat and drink and gain because of desperation.

When I was a kid, I admit to looking for presents.  Once I understood there was no Santa Claus (really?), and got old enough to figure out that mom and dad hid the gifts, I became one of the Hardy Boys.  I snooped.  I was sort of like the comic strip of Dennis the Menace where he ran into the living room with a box in his hand saying, “We’d better tell Santa Claus to forget about the train set I asked for.  I just found one on the top shelf of dad’s closet.”    Finding the presents mom & dad hid sorta took the fun out of it. There was no longer any longing or hope.

Don’t you think it is even more tragic that so many people are trying to live a life with no hope?  I remember hearing someone say once, “You can live so many days without food; so many days without water; but only seconds without hope.”  (Btw: if you know the correct way to say that I would appreciate you passing it on in the comment section. Thanks)

The people of Israel were living without hope.  They had  been…for a long time.  All throughout the OT we read of the promised Messiah.  But for most, it had been a long time since they had given that idea any thought.  It was during this hopeless despair that Gabriel appeared to Mary to give her the good news.  “You’re pregnant!”  How can that be good news to a single woman engaged to a man with whom she had not had sex yet?  But she was willing to be used for God’s purpose.

FEAR. STEALS….HOPE. GIVES!

It gives meaning.  It give purpose.  It give joy.  It gives life.   My sermon this Sunday will be inviting people to come to the feast and fill up on HOPE.   I would appreciate your prayers.   Several questions come to mind: do you have a hope-filled or hopeless life?  What do you do to give hope to people, not just now, but all year long? 

PolarExpress

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

I am in Ohio for a day or two so I am re-posting this one from a year ago (with some revisions).  I have a lot of new readers and I thought it would be cool to lighten my load and get some new thoughts from you.

In my blog wanderings I have posted a time or two about some of my Christmas traditions.  Growing up my family was not very well off and so Christmas was always “up in the air” as to its fullness.  We chose our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve day because by then they were only one dollar.  The tree nor the gifts were ever put up until we were in bed.  (6:00 sure seemed like an early time to go to bed… 🙂 )  Other traditions were followed.  Jo & I really never set any traditions to speak of, you know, those kind that will be passed down from generation to generation. We do have a Christmas breakfast of sausage gravy & biscuits, toast, eggs, bacon and milk.   But I do have a couple of my own.  On Thanksgiving Day I watch no football.  Zilch.  Nada.  None.  Zippo.  However, sometime during the day, I, and anyone who wants to join me, watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Santa Clause.”  Sometime between that day and Christmas Eve, I will watch “White Christmas,” “SC 2,” and “Polar Express.”  This past Saturday I watched Polar Express.

Polar Express, based on a  book by Chris Van Allsburg, tells us the story of one boy’s journey from doubt to faith. He lies in bed on Christmas Eve, hoping to hear sleigh bells, but his doubt grows. Later, he is awakened not by sleigh bells but by a train in his front yard.  He walks out front and the conductor (Tom Hanks’ voice) greets him with a question: “Well, are you coming?”  Boarding the train (Polar Express) soon turns out to be the smartest decision he makes.

He finds many other children on the train.  A sensitive black girl.  A loud, obnoxious, selfish know-it-all.  A lost little boy who appears to believe all the things people have whispered in his ear.  The train is an adventure ride as he meets the children, the mysterious man on the roof, the conductor, and others.  The boy travels to the North Pole, where Santa will give away the first gift of Christmas.  During the trip, the young boy continues struggling with doubt.  Two messages stand out in the movie (among others).

Lesson #1: “It doesn’t matter where you’re going; what matters is deciding to get on.”

How many times have you allowed fear or hesitancy or the whispers of others in your ear, stop you from getting on the train?  We run away instead of run to.  When that happens we often grow cynical and bitter and “curse”  our lot in life.

Lesson #2: “The most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.”

Talk about a lesson in faith!!  Does that not remind you of Hebrews 11:1?  I daresay that probably all of us, at one time or another, have questioned what we believe in..even though we cannot see Him.

Those two statements sum up the reality of the Christian life.  I choose to get on “the train.”  He has drawn me to Himself but the choice is mine to get on board or not.  The ironic thing is that neither I, nor you, have any clue whatsoever what getting on board holds for us.   Faith and hope cannot be seen in tangible ways.   It is a great time to hang on and let go.  🙂  He won’t let go of you…that is a promise!!  Let go of your doubt.  Let go of your pride.  Let go of your cynicism.  Let go of your ego.  Let go of your fears.  Let go of your (you fill in the blank).  Try riding the Polar Express.

Have you ever seen the movie?  What are your thoughts?  Do you have any other thoughts from the movie that you would like to add to mine?  Feel free to do so. If you haven’t seen it, I think you should.  Just try not to groan when the singer at the great event looks and sounds like Stephen Tyler from Aerosmith.  😛