Thoughts on the styar of Bethlehem.

I could not sleep for some reason so I started watching Christmas movies. In just about every movie I have watched the ending usually is showing the characters putting the star on the Christmas tree. I began to think about the star and why we put the star on the tree every year.What does the star mean?

The star reminds me that men can be led to a relationship with Christ through supernatural means. The wise men followed the star in the east to the birthplace of the Christ child. They would have hoplessly searched for the babe in the manger without the guidance of the heavenly Father. Many are searching today. They are seeking answers to cnfused, cluttered, chaotic lives. They are looking for peace in a viloent world. They can't find answers through self help books. They can't fiond answers through philosophy, and they can't find answers through joining different groups. They must look heavenward to seek the true answer to long lasting peace and security.

The star symbolizes the acceptance of Christ by the people. The wise men studied the stars. They knew that this star was unusal. They followed this star because they knew that something special awaited them. They had heard of the promise of a coming Messiah or Savior and they wanted to see this Savior. When they came upon the child they fell down and worshipped him. Even the most cynical of men or women can come to have faith in the one who was born in a lowly manger.

The star represents the shining hope of mankind. We need that hope. A hope that helps rise up each morning even in the midst of despair and uncertainity and proclaim in our hearts that God has blessed us with another day of joy and comfort.

The star reminds us  that Jesus was indeed born and through His birth, life, death, and ressurection those who accept Him as Lord and Savior have an assured promise of salvation. I find joy in the reminder that God can and does lead us in our lives if we but let Him.

Merry Christmas everyone.

What does a relationship with Jesus mean to you?

I saw an interesting post on facebook this morning. "I'm going to church to get me Jesus and then coming home and go to bed." I wandered what the individual who posted this meant. Did they mean that  Jesus is a temporary fix that they have to have every Sunday?   Is a relationship with Jesus like the Lortab that I am currently taking for pain? Does it only work for a few hours or days?  Is Jesus just an emotion to some people?

I listened to a sermon by John Piper this morning in which he talked about the true meaning of Christ's coming. In the sermon he pointed out some solid facts regarding a relationship with Christ. John Piper points out that Jesus came to earth that mankind might be saved through a relationship with Him and that through that relationship the sin that separated man from God would be blotted out.

Once man or woman has come into this relationship they turn from the sin that once controlled them to trust fully in Christ. This is not referring to a temporary fix but a lifetime commitment. Christ committing to fulfill the covenant that God established with His people and God's people committing to living within that covenant.

We, as God's people, must bank our hope on Christ's promises. We must stop following the world's example what a relationship with Christ means and turn and start following the commandments Christ put forward. We cannot live our lives through a "got milk' mentality. We must commit wholly and completely to following Christ in every area of our lives. Don't just go to church to "get me Jesus" Go to grow in your relationship with Him that He might truly be able to help you in your daily spiritual walk.

God's Covenant with Abraham

I have been thinking a lot lately about what is happening in America in regard to the Christmas season. Once Christmas was about remembering the birth of our Savior. It was a time to remember the glorious announcement to the shepherds from the heavenly host. It was about the birth of a tiny babe in a lowly manger built for animals. It was about a hope renewed for a people who had lost hope. It was about the birth of a tiny babe whose birth would affect the lives of people for many generations to come.

Sadly Christmas has become a material obsessed season. Its about shopping. Shopping for thins that you don't need and didn't want until you saw them. Its about stress and tension. Everyone is in a hurry. There is no stopping to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas.

What we need is some deep, quiet, unshakable truth from God's Holy Word. The scripture comes from Genesis 17:1-8.  There are three things that we learn from the scripture found in Genesis.

First of all those who hope in Christ and follow Him in obedient faith are descendants of Abraham and heirs of His covenant promises. Verse 7 tells us that God established His covenant between Abraham and his seed and the seed of generations to come. It was an everlasting covenant.

These promises are sure and lasting unlike the presents that you will receive this Christmas season. A promise from God is a promise kept. A promise from God is a "take it to the bank" assurance that what He said, He will accomplish.

These promises are rooted in God's unchanging truthfulness andand confirmed by Christ's coming. The Christmas Spirit is not found in the wrapped packages under the tree but in the story of the birth of the tiny babe in the manger. This birth changes lives, perspectives about life and brings an assurance of salvation to those who hope and believe in Him.

I hope that everyone will have a blessed and wonderful Christmas, not that you get a lot of gifts but that you receive thae greatest gift, salvation through Jesus Christ.

Are we a Christian nation.?

Recently I watched YouTube video in which Barak Obama stated that America is no longer a Christian nation. Initially I was offended by what he said until I thought about the state of Christianity in America.

We, as a nation, are moving further and further away from God. We are becoming biblically illiterate, we are growing more and more indifferent toward God's Holy commands, and we are looking toward worldly worship on a regular basis.

An example of this was found during a recent Youth study at the church that I pastor. We were discussing the importance of being an effective witness for Christ. I talked with the youth about the fact that our actions often speak louder than our words.

They strongly agreed and began sharing with me their concerns about other young people who proclaimed to be ChristiansThey talked about the profane language these kids used and said that the kids explained it away by saying that the words were in the bible and okay to use in the context they used them.
They said that these kids openly talked about their sexual promiscuity and the fact that some of them went to parties and drank alcohol.

There is a growing trend among young people and adults alike that superficial Christianity is all that is needed. They also believe that God's Word is not absolute and depends on how each individual interprets it. This is the reason that more and more people are drawn to other, more convenient religions. We must get by to what John MacArthur refers to as "Old Time religion" rather than "Show time religion." Until we do we cannot argue with Barak Obama very much regarding his statement.

What was I thinking?

Several years ago I decided to look for another campground for our annual camping trip. I was tired of going to the same place every year. Without consulting my family, I went online to find the "perfect" camping experience. I found a "wonderful" place in North Carolina called Happy Family Campground. This should have been a clue. I didn't catch on.
I reserved a camping space for the week of vacation. The website described the campground in this manner. Large swimming pool, gameroom with many types of electronic games to enjoy, large shower area, large camping area, and a river running alongside of the camping area to fish in. This was a "little" exaggerated.
We arrived at Happy Family Campground in the afternoon. Imagine our surprise when we saw a swimming pool about the size of a large broom closet covered in pond scum. The game room consisted of a warped pool table with the cover ripped and a broken pinball machine. My son had to use the bathroom so he went to the "spacious" shower area. He came out with a shocked look on his face. "Dad these are Nazi death camp showers." We drove around to the camping area. It was big enough to pull our van into but not big enough for a tent. The river was a large stream with no fish. We left Happy Family Campground .My family has never let me live this error in judgment down.

Fast forward to 2011. I wanted to go visit my daughter in Illinois. The last time we went I drove. I did not want to drive 15 hours agian. "I know, I'll take a train." I reserved the tickets ahead of time. Comfortable seating, nice dining area, let us do the driving while you relax. Perfect. The day arrived. We board the train that is packed full. "I am sorry, we will have to put you in the bulk area." I have reserved seats but it does not matter. "To many walkups" is how it is explained. The seats that you were supposed to be able to lean back in and relax still leave you sitting up. Well at least the dining car will be nice. I stand in line for 30 minutes to get two frozen pizzas zapped in the microwave. What happened to the nice dining area with delicious food. "That is on the longerr runs." is how it is explained. 18 hours is not a long run?
Our "host is a psycho blonde who spends most of her time yelling at the customers, including kids, while making as much of a nusiance of herself as she can. We arrive at Chicago 45 minutes late. We are not given any instructions where we are to go as we leave the train. Thankfully we find the train station without getting mugged in one of the worst cities that has ever been created. I decide to drive back. Wonder if my family will let me live this one down?

Legacy of honor or shame.

Legacy is defined as something you leave behind or something that is passed down from one generation to another. A leagacy can be a material item or a reputation that influences others. I would like to talk about the latter. I have worked as a School Resource Officer for nearly 11 years.
In that time I have seen some remarkable students come through the school in which I work and I have seen some less than honorable students come through as well. This years graduating class is no different. There are some students who are going to be rememberd as hard working, honest, honorable individuals.
They will be remebered for their acts of kindness, respect, positive influences. Then there are those who be remembered for their acts of vandalism, disorderliness, disrespect and mediocre efforts in all they did. They will be remembered for their complete disregard for rules and authority.
When members of the faculty look back to these students they will only remember the failed potential. Many of these students will become well known by law enforcement and may eventually reside in a jail or a prison somewhere. The sad part about this whole situation is that most of the students would not have turned out the way they did if their parents simply would have stopped enabling them and made them accept consequences for their WRONG choices and actions.
When will today's parents understand that their child is not perfect,that every child has the potential to go down the wrong path if not given the proper guidance and discipline.
One particular parent is upset because her child has been labeled a trouble maker by other students. Her statement spoke volumes about her as a parent. My son may do stupid things but he is not a bad kid. My reply is simple; stupid decisons and actions often are criminally wrong. Take your blinders off, stop looking through rose colored glasses and start being a parent in the right sense of the word.

What path do you want your child to take?

Proverbs 22:6  gives good advice in teaching your child. The scripture gives this sound advice. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." The scripture is revealing to the parents that it is their responsibility to train up their children. It is not the not the day care's responsibility. It is not the school's responsibility. It is THE PARENT'S responsibility. The scripture is encouraging parents to teach their children right from wrong.

This is and has been a foreign concept to many parents. They would look at Proverbs 22:6 and say that it is outdated, it doesn't fit in the society that exists today. They would take this verse and rephrase it to say something to this effect. Turn your child loose and let them choose their own path. The path that many children are taking is a path that leads to a self centered, self destructive life, a materalistic life and life that lacks respect for themselves, others, and any authority.

What is the solution? Parents need to become parents again and not their children's friends. Once a child is born into a family, the parents are to nuture them, discipline them, and TEACH them about the real life and not the make believe life they see on the television and in the movies. They need to teach their children that every choice they make affects their life in some way. The wrong choice can lead to serious consequences.

The sad part is that there even some churches that are letting their youth  choose the path they want to take. One youth teacher even told the youth that God gives teenagers breaks so they did not have to worry about the choices they made in their lives.

We are doing our children a great injustice when we turn them over to their own devices. I implore parents, to take a vested interest in their children's lives. Quit defending them  when they do wrong and let them experience the consequences for their actions. If you do not then we will continue to turn out genrations of angry, bitter, disrespctful children who will grow into angry, bitter, disrespectful adults.