Gift Giving

Posted by Christopher on Dec 25th, 2007
2007
Dec 25

Well, it is officially CHRISTmas Day out here in Sooner land (it’s actually been so, for the past 57 minute and 30 seconds). I’m still wide eyed and awake, though not for the anticipation of what’s awaiting me under the Christmas tree,just a case of night owl syndrome. No, the restless Christmas eves and early morning hours of Christmas that I would lie awake as a kid thinking and hoping for “must-have” gifts to be under the tree are no more.

candle_light_srvc_001 The anticipation of receiving has passed and been replaced now with looking forward to sharing in the experience of the happiness and gratitude that my children express in being recipients; though I confess that I’d like them to hold off on receiving until sometime after 9 a.m.

My son and I attended the CHRISTmas Eve Candle Light service at my church last night. Singing familiar Seasonal hymns and carols bought back; for a brief moment the child-like recollection and ideas of Christmases past. Then as the service was closing… The First Noel was played and in a flash I was reminded (cliche warning!) of “the reason for the season”:

The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

And by the light of that same star
Three Wise men came from country far
To seek for a King was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

This star drew nigh to the northwest
O’er Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both Pause and stay
Right o’er the place where Jesus lay.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then entered in those Wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord
That hath made Heaven and earth of nought
And with his blood mankind has bought.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel!

The novelty of new “toys” will wear off for kids and adults alike, some a little sooner than others. Those that have been fortunate enough to receive gifts that they truly needed will perhaps be able to cherish the idea behind the gift for much longer.

So now I sit here thinking about the temporal gifts that I’ve only wrapped and tagged a few hours ago; and of how in the new year, will I be exercising and giving of my true gifts, my spiritual gifts, whatever they may be. Gifts that can be given any day of the year, on account of no reason or season. Gifts to be bestowed onto others not out of national tradition or social obligation, but out of Christian obligation. Gifts to be be given that are fashioned in the spirit that God Almighty Himself set as an example. Gifts that don’t require a credit card, or a trip to the mall or some on-line vendor, gifts that don’t need fancy wrappings, bows or even an accompanying card of explanation.

Romans 12:6-8
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

benevolence_dreamstime_2106

Merry CHRISTmas.

Prophetic or Profound !?!

Posted by Christopher on Dec 22nd, 2007
2007
Dec 22

This little nugget of wisdom was found while digging through some old emails this afternoon:

“If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
- Ronald Reagan

Sports-Talk Radio & Drawing a Blank

Posted by Christopher on Dec 22nd, 2007
2007
Dec 22

Things have officially settled down here. The CHRISTmas shopping is completed (minus wrapping the gifts), the CHRISTmas cards have all gone out, no-more parties to attend, and the annual review at work is in the books! I’d let my hair down… if I had hair to let down. Since that’s not the case, I’ll just let out a big “Phewwww“.

exhausted_001

After wrapping up a few loose ends at the office today yesterday, I managed to skate out of work early. I left work to drop off a gift to one friend, then headed over to another friend/co-worker’s house to deliver a CHRISTmas card. As I was driving away from my second stop, thoughts of Arthur Blank; owner of the Atlanta Falcons franchise popped into the ‘ole noggin. Could have had something to do with the car stereo being tuned onto ESPN’s sports-talk radio!?!

I was thinking about the year Arthur Blank; owner of the NFL Atlanta Falcons has had. His star QB ends up convicted on Federal charges, then his 1st year Head Coach (Bobby Petrino) bails on him in the 12th week of the NFL season.

Bobby Petrino (L) & Arthur Blank (R)

The previous season Nick Saban another first timer at the Head Coach position in the NFL, makes a quick exit from the NFL Miami Dolphins to a sweet deal with the University of Alabama, after repeatedly denying that he was leaving the Dolphins organization.

Fickle seems to be in now.

Nick Saban @ LSU

These situations with Head Coaches reminded me of Bible scripture that was studied via Rick Renner’s “Sparkling Gems” back in August. 1 Timothy 5:22 was the verse studied; and the gist of verse deals with choosing spiritual leadership for the church. I think that there’s a relevant comparison that can however be seen and made between the idea of choosing leadership as prescribed in 1st Timothy 5: 22 and in choosing leadership in a broad secular sense.

1 Timothy 5:22 (KJV)
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

Renner explains in “Sparkling Gems” that the word “suddenly” comes from the Greek word TACHUS which means or gives the idea of doing something quickly or with haste.

The phrase “lay hands” comes from the Greek word EPITITHIMI; which means “to place hands upon”. Whenever there was a “laying on of hands” ceremony (Old & New Testament times); it was a ceremony to symbolize the equivalent of stamping an individual with one’s personal seal of approval (Renner).

approved

Neither coach had any previous coaching experience at the NFL level to speak of. In addition Bobby P and Nick Saban; have both displayed a tendency to court and or run for greener pasture$, as I understand. Hindsight being what is; perhaps Arthur Blank and Wayne Huizenga would do well in the future to check out 1st Timothy 5:22…

And It’s Winter Before We Know It….

Posted by Christopher on Dec 19th, 2007
2007
Dec 19

Courtesy of an email from my friend and “brother” in Christ, “Bill”. Bill is going in for knee replacement surgery soon, so if any visitors would care to remember my friend in they’re prayers, I’m quite sure that he would be appreciative, as I am.

And it’s winter before we know it….

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all…

http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/d30-32/merced-river-in-winter.jpg

And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams… But, here it is..the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise… How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?

I remember well.. Seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like… But, here it is…my friends are retired and really getting gray…they move slower and I see an older person now. Lots are in better shape than me… But, I see the great change… Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant… But, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d be.

cold_siberia_001

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore…it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will…I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!


But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last…this I know, that when it’s over…it’s over. Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done ,,,,,things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime….

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Wintery_road.JPG/800px-Wintery_road.JPG

So, if you’re not in your winter yet…let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life…so, live for good today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember… And hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

‘Life is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.’
Live it well!—- Enjoy today! Do something fun!—-Be happy!—-Be thankful!

Mail,Reunions & Phileo

Posted by Christopher on Dec 18th, 2007
2007
Dec 18

As I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment this evening I stopped in front of the mailbox to retrieve my mail from the past few days, prior to going upstairs to my apartment. I’m not sure why I hadn’t checked in a few days, I wasn’t avoiding any bills this month. OH YEA!! The holiday hustle and bustle, that must have been it.

So, I opened up my mailbox, and it’s a good thing that I did check today, not much room left to stuff much else into it. Amongst the usual mailbox filler material of insurance statements & circulars, was my Cyberguys catalog and the http://courses.washington.edu/dmwork/images_W1L3/mailbox.jpg local Toyota dealership informing me that they’re interested in selling me a new car since I’ve supposedly paid off my current “Yota”. After weeding through the stuff bound for file 13, I noticed 3 envelopes, two were returned Christmas cards to old school mates, plus one from a school mate that now resides in Tulsa.

Seeing the envelope and card made me think back to just a few years ago, 2005: my 20 year class reunion. When I received the invite to attend the festivities; I initially had my mind set to pass the whole affair. My attitude was funky, and I was becoming a hermit (too tall to be a Hobbit). As I write today’s post, I can’t help but think, even back then, before I had committed to let the Lord right this shipwreck of a life that the Holy Spirit was already at work, prompting me to change my attitude. I wrestled with the decision to go or to not go for several months prior to the big to-do, eventually I either convinced myself or was convinced ( I think more so the latter) to attend.

Attending my class reunion was therapeutic to say the least. I got a chance to interact with some old friends and some old acquaintances, but most importantly; I had taken from the two days of remembering the 80’s, a renewed attitude about relationships, friendships and family. See, once I left town to join the military, I put my school daze & relationships behind me, I didn’t attempt to keep in touch, which eventually become my modus operandi for a lot of future friendships and relationships as well. Having attended the class reunion though was my wake up call, I left with a resolve to at least keep in touch by way of sending Christmas cards to the people I had known so many years ago, some closer than others.

For the past two years, I’ve faithfully cracked open the old address book (it’s really just an Excel spreadsheet) and cranked out CHRISTmas cards with joy in my heart. Fast forward to CHRISTmas 2007.

I started about a week and a half ago getting cards ready for the mail and for local delivery this year . Thank goodness!! In a year’s time the amount of people in my sphere of relationships has grown substantially, specifically chrsitmas_card_001 from the church I attend, and I’m not talking about people that you give the “Hey!!! How you doing?….” every Sunday as you frantically do a name search through the cerebral Rolodex, because you haven’t a clue who the old guy & his wife with blue hair are. No.. I’m talking about people that I’ve actually become friends with, brothers and sisters, young and old, married and single, frail and healthy. I’m talking about people that I now have, more than a casual acquaintance with, there’s a relationship brewing.

I happened to be going over a devotional from the 14th (took a little break with all of the CHRISTmas parties to attend and what not last week, so I’m playing catch-up again). The devotional by Rick Renner was titled “Be Affectionate to One Another”, which covered Romans 12:10

Romans 12:10 (KJV)
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

I’ll save the dissection of the verse and it’s Greek terminology for another time perhaps.dreamstime__friends_2302856The gist of the message from Romans 12:10 as explained by Renner in his book “Sparkling Gems”, is that Christians ought to embrace the brotherhood, the fellowship of fellow believers in Christ. We should be viewing our “brothers” and “sisters” in the church as just that; brother and sisters belonging to the same family. We should have that love,that affection for each other that resembles family. The love for one another should be sincere, authentic, tender and warm, our desires being only the best for each other.

So often in some of today’s churches, people attend service yet never take the time to get to know their fellow worshipper. We attend service to get the “Holy Checkmark” then bolt from the church like NASCAR drivers heading for the finish line at Taladega, knocking over the old guy and his blue haired wife in the process.

One of the elders at my church uses this analogy about attending and being involved in church: “Church is like a hospital, a place for the sick (spiritually) to come and be healed.” Alright!! I like it, but must we be so sterile toward one another? Much healing yet to be done I suppose.

I’ll leave you with this to consider in light of today’s post from 1st Peter 2:11:

1st Peter 2:11
Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

In a strange land with strange customs what could be more welcome than to be among your own kind?

Grace and peace be with you.

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