Friday, December 28, 2012
Something to Look For in 2013
They
are rare and extremely valuable. One
must beware of counterfeits and wannabes.
Only careful scrutiny and extensive testing will provide adequate
verification that they are genuine. You
cannot own one, but you can greatly benefit from being around them. If you can
find one in 2013, you should cherish it.
The treasure of which I write is a mentor - someone you can look up to.
The
late John Wooden, had a very successful career in which he mentored many young
men. He coached basketball at UCLA where
his team won ten NCAA national championships within a ten year period. He was named national coach of the year 6
times. He was familiar with glitz, glamour and talent, but he made a very important
distinction between someone who is good at something and someone who is good to
follow:
"The main thing to remember is there is one essential difference between a hero and a
mentor. A hero is someone you idolize, while a mentor is someone you respect. A hero earns our amazement; a mentor earns
our confidence. A hero takes our breath
away; a mentor is given our trust. Mentors do not seek to create a new person;
they simply seek to help a person become a better version of himself."
(Game Play for Life, p.6)
It
is rare for someone to take a selfless interest in someone else's well
being. It is even more rare for a successful
person to invest in the up and coming generation and for that younger
generation to listen. Thankfully those
kind of relationships are not extinct. You can find them. You can make them happen.
God
meant for our best mentors to be people within our own family. How extra special it is when a father, mother,
aunt, uncle, grandmother or grandfather truly becomes a mentor to the children
in their family. But there are other places to find mentors - church being one
of them. If believers are truly living
out their faith, they will become mentors to their families and to the young
people and children with whom they worship.
This is one of the many benefits of regular church attendance. Church people are not perfect, but church is
a great place to search for a mentor.
This
is how St. Paul envisioned it:
"Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and
wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so
they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will
know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be
good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their
behavior. Also, guide the young men to
live disciplined lives. But mostly, show
them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words
solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing
weird or misguided, might eventually come around." (Titus 2:2-8 MSG)
Mentoring
is the best gift you can give to the next generation. Finding a mentor is the best gift you can
receive. It is something to look for in
2013. Or, maybe it is your turn to be that mentor?
Friday, December 14, 2012
Santa Didn't Mean to Spoil Us
If it weren't for wise
parents, I would have been spoiled rotten - too selfish to enjoy what have been
the most fulfilling things in life. I
wanted privileges and money and things, but my parents made sure I wasn't given
a lot unless my attitude was right or I had earned it. They didn't put up with
whining and manipulation. They modeled
giving, and provided me with opportunities to do the same. We all tend to spoil if left to ourselves. As I have grown older, my Heavenly Father has
been the non-spoiling influence in my life.
He cares for me, but only as I care for others. He challenges me to love, care and "give
until it hurts." The Sunday School song said it like this: "Jesus,
then Others, then You, what a wonderful way to spell joy.
I'm guessing that many
readers can appreciate how important it is for our society that we guard
against greed and selfishness. How
disheartening to hear stories of people being trampled or shot as holiday
shoppers disregard human beings while clamoring for things. The solution to such uncivilized behavior is
not legislation or law enforcement --
the answer is in tamed hearts. The
answer is in how you and your family choose to celebrate Christmas this
year. How are you intentionally being
selfless this Christmas?
Santa has become an icon
of the Christmas season. Many children
love Santa for what they get. Maybe
they've never heard where the idea of Santa came from. According to the St Nicolas Center, "The
true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third
century in the village of Patara. At the
time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy
parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while
Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and
give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist
the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God
and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became
known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for
children, and his concern for sailors and ships."
St. Nicholas obviously didn't
mean to spawn a tradition of greed and jealousy. His intention was to meet
others needs, thereby modeling the kind of life Jesus encouraged us to live. One
way to insure that you and your family do not slip into the trap of materialism
and greed this Christmas is to give your biggest present to Jesus. You can do
that by giving to people in need or to organizations that help people who are
in need. Here are some traditions that selfless families have practiced:
·
Serve at a food pantry
·
Give to the local food bank
·
Give to toys for tots
·
Give to a non-profit organization like a hospital, mission or
church
·
Invite someone over for Christmas dinner or a party
We all tend toward
spoiling. It is the disciplines of life, the influence of other people and
Christ, Himself, that save us from ourselves.
When we curb our appetites and work hard at caring about others
something very wonderful happens -- everyone wins. We intuitively worry that if we give too much
we will be left high and dry, but "... remember the words of the Lord
Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts
20:35) Santa (St. Nicholas) didn't mean to spoil us, he meant to inspire a
spirit of generosity and giving.
Thursday, December 06, 2012
The Incarnation
It has been over 2000 years since Jesus was
born, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. The star, the wise men, the angels, and the
flight to Egypt are now ancient history.
Throughout the ages billions of people have loved Him and billions have
hated Him. His life still rattles the world because he was not just a great
prophet born to a poor, Jewish family; He was God in flesh. Theologians refer to God becoming flesh as “The
Incarnation.”
Jesus was the Son of Man in that he was born
of a woman, but He was the Son of God in that He was conceived by the Holy
Ghost. That is why even the stars
declared His birth. That is why we
should not be ashamed to declare His divinity.
We say “Merry Christmas” because God entered our world so that we can have
the option of entering His eternal Kingdom.
He became flesh so we could become immortal. He put on corruption so we could put on
incorruption.
Nothing in all of history compares to the
stories of Jesus’ birth, life and death.
The stories are true, well documented and continually being verified
afresh. A recent article mentioned yet
another verification: “The main-line orthodox ‘church world’ has been stunned
by the recent discovery of what is probably the earliest church ever discovered
in the Holy Land (approx 170 AD - 280 AD).
The well-preserved mosaic floor is boldly inscribed ‘To God Jesus
Christ!’ This is clearly a testament to a belief in the deity of Jesus Christ
that thrived during the years prior to the Byzantine period.”
Early Church Fathers clearly recognized Jesus
as God:
·
Around 105 A.D. Bishop Ignatius said “God was manifest in human
form” and referred to Him as “Jesus Christ, our God.”
·
Clement advised “Brethren, it is fitting that you should think of
Jesus Christ as of God -- as Judge of the living and the dead.”
·
Centuries later Aristides said “The Christians trace the beginning
of their religion to Jesus the Messiah. He is called the Son of the Most High
God. It is said that God came down from heaven. He assumed flesh and clothed
himself with it from a human virgin. And the Son of God lived in a daughter of
man.”
The Christmas story of baby Jesus being born in a stable is much
more than a touching tale about the birth of an important historical figure; it
is a bookmark in mankind’s history that indicates the place where the great
Creator broke into time so that He could become our Savior. Someone had to fix the mess we had made. Someone had to save us from ourselves. It is a story well worth commemorating. St. John said it like this: “In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John
1:1,14)
The incarnation is worth
celebrating. Let’s throw parties, do
re-enactments, give to those in need, sing carols and boldly say “Merry
Christmas.” Anyone who feels otherwise
either doesn’t realize what really happened or is against God and His
Kingdom. Someday every knee will bow and
every tongue will confess that Jesus is God -- the King of the universe. Meanwhile I will proudly celebrate the
Sovereign King who became a baby so that I can have everlasting life. 
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