Thoughts on the Approaching Christmas Season
Christmas is a fabulous time of the year around our household. We get into the decorating mode early – usually around Dec. 1st. This year we started mid November with prompting from several of the kids. It’s great these days because I no longer mess with a real tree and the accompanying frustrations, along with the fact that the children do most of the work with gusto and grand enthusiasm. I caught Aaron stringing lights on the stair rail at 11PM one night!
There is, of course, also great excitement about gift-giving and receiving. This year is unusual because we are secret coding every package and no one will know which is their gift until Christmas morning. This should eliminate a lot of shaking, rattling and gift handling – we hope!
Family gatherings and festive meals are also an important component of our Christmas traditions. For several years now I have prepared and stuffed the turkey. Everyone claims I do a great job, and they have no intention of pulling the carpet out from under my culinary responsibilities. These are blessed days full of noise, happy laughter and meaningful connection with our loved ones.
However, the greatest meaning of this season for my family and I is the fact that we recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all that transpires around the holiday. We emphasize to our children that all blessings flow from God, who is creator and sustainer of this universe (James 1:17). We focus on the fact that the greatest gift to man is that of Jesus Christ when He died in our place – for our sin – on the cross at Calvary (2 Corinthians 9:15). Before one gift is opened in our house on Christmas morning we turn to one of the great passages on the birth of Christ and read it aloud. There follows a time of singing, sharing and prayer. We don’t rush through our Christmas, but enjoy it in a spirit of gratitude.
Along with the family celebration, we also greatly enjoy the fellowship and activities of our church family at this season. What a privilege to share together in the real “Reason for the Season”. The caroling, sharing and worshiping togetherness of the church are essential to a true perspective of Christmas.
Spiritual Shock Absorbers
One of our family vehicles is a 1997 Chevy Astro van. It goes without saying, that the shocks and springs in this vehicle are not what they used to be. I have to be careful where I drive if I do not want the unpleasant experience of constant rattling, or worse yet, jarring my coffee loose from the cup holder and all over the floor. My preference is to avoid the roads pockmarked with bumps and potholes. However, traveling that same road in a car that has good shock absorbers is an entirely different experienc
e. I may still feel the bumps, but they do not rattle me to the bone, or knock things loose inside the vehicle.
Being in pastoral ministry for nearly a quarter century there are numerous occasions when I have felt the blunt and unsettling jolt of some negative circumstance or the sting of a bitter disappointment. I have seen people I love overcome by a besetting sin. I have lost close personal friends to physical and spiritual tragedy. On September 11, 2001 the whole world was shocked by the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. Within one month of that event two of my Pastor friends, both young men, went home to be with the Lord. One in an auto accident and the other by drowning. Also within that month, our next door neighbour’s six year old daughter contracted a serious blood disease and died within 24 hours. She was our oldest daughter’s closest friend.
We are caught off guard by shocking circumstances and trials. We all face them, and while we would much rather take the smooth road, the fact remains that our path of following Christ is often beset with difficulties and unpleasant situations that threaten to derail us spiritually. Some will succumb to the pressure and simply find another road, others will overreact and end up in the ditch, but many will continue moving forward absorbing the jolt of each difficulty while becoming more like Christ. What makes the difference?
The Biblical answer to that question can be found in I Corinthians 13. Here is the great love chapter in all the Bible. In the last verse of the chapter Paul identifies three enduring spiritual values. He says “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.“ I Cor. 13:13. We should incorporate these values as attitudes in our daily lives. Over time they will serve as spiritual shock absorbers. Let’s take a moment to consider how each of these attitudes will help us remain stable, focused, and on course when things around us are unsettling.
FAITH
The Bible tells us that the absence of faith is sin Rom. 14:23. If the difficulties caused by circumstances, things, or other people lead us to take our eyes off of Jesus we have sinned against God and it will not be long until we deviate from God’s will in our lives.
HOPE
The word hope speaks of the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation. Paul refers to it as a “blessed hope” in Titus 2:13. Why would we allow the jarring of earthly events and human failures to rob us of our joy when we have a secure and eternal home awaiting us in heaven?
LOVE
Paul said charity or love is the greatest of these three. This love was first demonstrated to us when God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place for the sin which separated us from God. The Bible says that we as believers now “love Him, because He first loved us” I John 4:19. The application of this value is of great importance in the trials of life. There is no circumstance of life that is powerful enough to separate us from the love of Christ Romans 8:38-39.
In the context of I Cor 13 we learn that neither human effort, nor spiritual giftedness will sustain us in all the turmoil and confusion that life can bring. Faith, hope and love are enduring and abiding values that will make a difference. Have you installed your spiritual shock absorbers?
Christ’s Love for the Church
Last week I had the privilege of preforming the marriage ceremony for Lisa and Brent. The bride is my niece, and of course the groom is her very close friend. Most of the attention is on the bride at the wedding, and this is right and good. However, as the pastor performing the wedding ceremony, I get a unique view standing 
next to the groom as he awaits his bride. I can tell you that there is some nervousness on his part, but a much greater desire and anticipation to see his intended in all her splendor. Brent was no exception. I didn’t have to tell him twice when it was time, “Go get your bride.”
All of this reminds me of Christ`s great love for His bride – the church. Ephesians 5:25 says “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it“. Through the gospels we come to understand that Jesus is the Bridegroom who is espoused to the church. The day is coming, and it could be very soon, when God the Father will say to His Son, “Go get your bride”. There will be no hesitation on Jesus’ part. It thrills me to know that Christ is coming again for us!
The fact is that His desire and love for us is greater than anything we could know in an earthly relationship. The New Testament reveals several important characteristics of Jesus’ love for the believer.
A PRIORITY LOVE
Before we had any inkling of His plan of salvation, Jesus loved us with an everlasting love. 2000 years ago as He hung on the cross I was on His mind. The Bible says in I John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.“ I’m so glad His priority was loving me, not being loved by me.
A PROVEN LOVE
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Commend means to prove. Before we could reciprocate His love, He was willing to die for us, thus demonstrating the depth and level of commitment in His love for us.
A PREEMINENT LOVE
According to this next verse Christ’s love is excellent and surpassing. There is no love like the Lord’s! Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
It did me good to witness the young love of Brent & Lisa (BTW you guys make a great couple and I thank God for you both), and it does me good every time I consider the love of Jesus for His church. If you are not saved please visit the following link to learn more of how you can experience the Love of God and the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ. How to Get to Heaven.
A Dining Experience
Recently I received a gift certificate for The Glenerin Inn. It was a birthday gift from one of our members. Last night Cindy and I took the opportunity to dine there. An evening out for a date with no children and no phone to ring is one of those rare enjoyments of life that we treasure.
We read that The Glenerin Inn offers dining and accomadations on a “rambling stone estate, a gracious architectural beauty reminiscent of an English manor house. Landscaped gardens with rolling lawns and cool streams wind their way through wooded valleys just beyond.“ Needless to say, my wife and I were looking forward to a memorable evening.
The old world charm in the Grand Hall along with a fine meal of steak and salmon did not disappoint. David, our server, did an excellent job. After a leisurely meal, Clement, the hotel receptionist, gave us a quick tour of two guest rooms. We were warmly invited to return for an overnight package including dinner and a continental breakfast.
Spiritual food – the Word of God – is of greater value for it feeds the soul. the Bible says “ Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. Yet, many times we treat our spiritual dining experience as if it were of equal importance to a burger and fries at the local fast food outlet. If we want the drive through convenience in our spiritual lives we will not enjoy the full experience that God has for us in our walk with Him.
This is sad, for the Lord invites us freely into the Grand Hall of His Word and His fellowship. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
Take the time, some time, and enjoy that fine dining experience!
Gone Fishing
Friday Evening and Saturday Morning I had the chance to do one of the things I love best – Bass Fishing. My boys and I packed 300 lbs of gear and headed north to our favourite fishing hole near Parry Sound. Several things about this trip made it one of the best. 1. Spectacular weather, and that is really saying something when you consider the type of summer we have had in sout
hern Ontario. 2. The Company – My three oldest boys and my father were all along. Family is very important to me and I love the opportunity to enjoy a great outdoor experience with the kids. 3. The Fishing - Not bad as everyone caught their limit. Caleb had the catch of the day – A 3lb Large Mouth!
Fishing, when done properly requires plenty of organization, the right tools, and some hard work. For us that “sweat equity” includes hauling gear in and out over roots, rocks and fallen trees along a 3/4 mile trail. That is followed by setting up two inflatable boats complete with trolling motors and tackle. We do not love the work as much as we love the reward!
By Sunday evening I was more than tired. It had been a full weekend including our Sunday services at MIBC, and I must admit I was looking forward to a time of relaxation at home. However, Sunday night was our NETS Soulwinning night – a time to go fishing for men.
Whenever I prepare to knock on the doors of complete strangers and present the gospel I experience fear. It is not something that I naturally love to do. I’ll admit it – I’m a big chicken and I would rather be doing other things. But something wonderful happens between my initial fear and the completion of the task. By the time I was on my way home my heart was full – reflecting on the rewarding time Sunday evening. There were close to 90 out for the soulwinning effort. What a joy to be involved in this as a church family. There were many opportunities to present Christ or at least leave gospel literature in the homes. And, oh yes, the weather was great!
New Territory
This is somewhere I never thought I’d be. Many times over the years of ever-developing computer technologies I have embraced new possibilities that the software or hardware offers. This world of technology has helped me in ministry effectiveness and personal productivity, not to mention, it’s been a lot of fun! The world of the blog however, was unlike the rest to me. Something for others, but not my cup of tea. Why waste time with it when there is so much else to do?
So what am I doing here? Great question. There are many answers to that question, some of which are yet undiscovered by me, but will reveal themselves in the weeks and months to come as my journey unfolds. What is apparent to me as I embark is a single overarching answer and it has to do with the word “vision”. I am here because of vision. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. My vision for this blog “Building on the Rock” is connected to the title and the photo I’ve chosen as a banner.
Jesus said that He would build His church on the Rock. That Rock is Christ himself. Many today are building on the shifting sands of worldly philosophy, public opinion and the appetites of the flesh. Christians must be different we must build our lives on the unchanging nature of Christ and His Word. It bothers me deeply that many are failing to build lives, and homes that have strong spiritual substance. My blog is just one small voice, but my desire is to make a difference.
The photo is of Cannon Beach on the coast of Oregon. The large rock to the right is called Haystack Rock and is a 235-foot tall monolith or sea stack. It is the third-tallest such structure in the world. As a young child I recall visiting this amazing place on a family vacation and marveling at the size of this rock. When I read Jesus words concerning the foundation of His church I often think of Haystack Rock. A massive, unchanging, unmoveable object that is not affected by tides or ocean storms. Jesus is all of that and more in the storms of our lives, and in the midst of wildly changing social and political paradigms. Thank God for such a rock as Christ! He is worth building our life upon.
