Seasoning The Reasoning!

Interesting thoughts accompany the winding up of this Christmastide. I've been blessed to cover some 15 states(and at least as many HD shops)the past couple of months. Some of you that read me from time to time know that I write about the ministry that accompanies my steely steeds and I when we travel the highways and byways of our nation during the weather that is permissive. I've got a cousin that works as a regional rep for the company, and many friends whose livelihood is derived directly from their expertise with Harleys. Then there are those with whom I share the simple freedoms and fellowship of the open road, and the 100s that work in motorcycle ministry year around! This year I made a point of visiting shops all over the US when time permitted. Our government has managed to squelch the "faith based" roots of our country in many ways, but private enterprise where persons of the christian persuasion work at jobs they love is not one of them. Now, it has occurred to me to begin methodically surveying the members of the HOG(Harley Owners Group)locally(about 600 in our area)to find out where there allegiance is to be found in direct proportion to God & Country. No need to do that. I already know the answer! By and large the HOG membership is christian to the core, with non flag-waving members amounting to less than half of a total percent worldwide. Now, this is only an opinion, but when you take into account the popularity of the machine and it's "legend" and place that alongside sentiments that seem to grow against the US in other countries it would seem that we have common ground that stands alone against public outcry. I would venture to say the HD emblem is as loved in France as their president(maybe more so)! What do we learn from this? God uses the tools that are provided in every situation to keep alive the essence of truth that the Holy Bible presents to all mankind. Some modern day authors and graphic arts people have gotten together and presented a picture of my Savior on a Harley with the pronouncement that if He were to come today, He'd be riding a Harley rather than walking. I can't, in all honesty, take it that far, but I can add this note of personal experience....out in that real world we live in the people on two wheels that I know are the very type that my Bible refers to often when it teaches character lessons in the form of parables. Parables about people are still being written. I pray we write them on hearts as often as possible. Many thanks go out tonight to the people of faith that own and operate the dealerships across our great nation "under God!" Their lights twinkle brightly, and their greetings mount up tall and proud against the backdrop of a nation that seems to be losing God in the midst of the 21st century. When you see those riders out there this coming season, give them a wave and a smile. The same freedoms that our nation is restricting every day they are seeking to keep alive in every possible way! In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Merry Christmas!

 
364 days and we get to do it again! What a rush this year! The music, services, smiles, weather, and most of all the love. Love seemed to abound in every direction for my wife and I. Someone described last night as a set of pictures from a Norman Rockwell presentation. We ended the Eve of this year's celebration of my Savior's birth singing caroles around a fire in the woods. That began around 11:30 and wound to a conclusion around 1 in the am. A choir of voices(nearly a dozen at times)sang as we smiled at one another. Guitars strummed gently and we tuned our voices to the "prum" of the "Little Drummer Boy" to conclude the evening. Many tears were shared along with more laughter than we deserve. Some of us took time to give thanks, proclaiming loudly God's handiwork in all of creation. Others slipped away to make calls to distant friends and family to greet them and let them know what they had missed. I am worn, a bit overtired and overfed, and a little weary, but I would not have missed a single moment of this Christmas for any reason that comes to mind. During the course of this Christmas there were a few youngsters that learned that there really is no Santa Claus other than the one which we provide for one another. I'm sure that was at first disheartening. Greater truths were revealed, though. The ones of which knowledge and understanding become keys by which the hearts of all can be turned in the direction of Bethlehem and the greatest revelation to ever become part of mankind's history. This year I didn't tell the story as I have in years past, I listened. Sometimes it is good to listen to how others tell the story. How simple it is, and yet how totally, and absolutely overpowering. The plan by which you and I, everyone, has the opportunity to receive Christ into their heart and gain forever the greatest gift of all, salvation. I bear witness to that salvation tonight as viewed through the eyes of persons from 2 years of age to 100 plus years and counting. This was a "perfect" Christmas. And to all a good night. In Christ's Love, Preacher. 

Christmas Spirit

Each of us goes about the business of seeking the "Christmas Spirit" in a variety of ways. During the Advent season I usually spend Friday afternoons playing piano at nursing facilities. I don't do that out of the goodness of my heart! The motivation
is strictly one of selfishness. Nursing homes beat everwhere else on the planet when it comes to marketing joy. We left our prairie home to roam southward on the Great American Desert. Central City, Nebraska was our goal, in particular the nursing facility there that tends to the needs of alzheimers patients in one wing,and the infirm of any age throughout the rest of the home. My wife and I don't get down to visit dad often enough, but it does seem like every occasion is one for celebration.
This occasion was my bride's birthday. We had the most wonderful time with the people there, and in the midst of it we found the Spirit of God moving greatly in the lives of many. Tuesday evening we had a family choir to present hymns and caroles. Wednesday throughout lunch prep time we played and sang with residents. The true "Spirit" of the season is getting harder to locate as we near the 25th. Not so in Nebraska this week, however. I can't remember the last time that my fingers danced across a piano more joyfully than they did yesterday. That's where my selfishness comes into play. There is a part of me that wants to give, but the larger part of my nature is hungry for the gift of pleasure which only these circumstances can provide. There is nothing on this earth that can compare to the twinkle of delight in the eyes of a 94 year old lady tied into her wheelchair as she sings the songs of her childhood with others. The memories unfold so beautifully. There is laughter and tears, joy and sadness all in one room filled with hearts that remember more than the mind can recall. I love what these people give to me! It is right up there with the love that God has given all of us in the gift of His Son, the Christ Child. There is never quite enough time available for these moments, and the schedules don't always allow for time to preach God's Word as I would like, but it is shared in other ways, and that is another of God's gifts. When it comes to getting older we are all trodding the same path. There is only one alternative to becoming elderly. I pray this day that throughout Christmas and the whole year through we can each find it in our hearts to make the lives of others more joyful when an opportunity presents itself. In Christ's Love, Preacher.

Adjusting Attitudes.

Considering the season we are in the midst of, it is totally understandable that some folks are beginning to wear down. Too much to do, not enough time, and money is tight, as always. The hat I shot for tonight is the one I wear throughout the Christmas Tide Celebrations, and as an everyday headgear. When questioned as to the reason I wear it I can only find one answer. It makes me happy and other folks smile more when I've got it on. No, I don't wear it when I'm preaching, but sometimes slip back into it immediately after. The "bugs" are seemingly endless during this most "grace-filled" event of the year. Long lines are beginning to wear on nerves, and traffic is showing signs of meltdown in urban areas. Out here on the Great American Desert we are so happy to see someone else on the road we usually wave as we pass. Sound like fun? It is! 'Tis the season, or so the song implies, and out here on the frozen tundra it is a good time of the year to enjoy the warmth of fellowship in a host of ways. Wherever you are, though, the feelings can be the same if you develope a little "hattitude." I know, it may be far easier to be grumpy, sneezy, or grouchy(perhaps a little on the order of Scrooge)than it is to be joyful. Keep in your heart the reason for the season! Start each day with a prayer that it will be happier than the last, and seek first the things that are of God which we celebrate throughout the year, but especially during Christmas. Our world is literally filled with, what was it Dr. Zeuss called them, "Grinches." Let us not be one of them. With a song in our hearts and a car full of treasures we are off to visit family 5 hours south for the next few days. Merriment, I pray, will be the watch word of the day. How does that go, now...."Dashing through the snow.....God bless, Preacher.

The Virtual Picture Of This Morning's Weather

 
The picture below was a warmer time on the Great American Desert! 

Fourth Sunday In Advent - 2005

 
Today was cold! Cheryl was off to work early with plans to take PTO for the service. I finally got the chance to do a solo prep with my grand daughter, Kyra, and we were on schedule until I lost my glasses. I didn't know at the time I was getting ready to leave that attendance would be way down today as a result of the weather. I went out to start the car at 9:15 only to discover the temp was reading negative four in the car(she does not prefer to be unplugged if the thermometer dips below zero). It took three tries before finally firing up on all six cylinders. Everything was on schedule, again, and Kyra waited patiently while I searched high and low for my glasses(without them I am a threat to everyone and everything when behind the wheel)with no good fortune. Finally, tired of waiting and watching as I went back and forth over all of the places I had been in the house Kyra said, "Why don't you just wear these(she was referring to my sunglasses which are prescription), the sun is bright outside?" And that is exactly what I did, there are times when the wisdom of a child far exceeds that of their elders! I didn't count the number in the sanctuary when we began(couldn't really see much at all), but there were faces that even from the pulpit I thought I recognized. Relatives of mine had come to hear me preach. I was actually shocked at them being there. They are both unchurched folk, and from the conversations we've shared since they returned to the Great American Desert, I had assumed(you know what that can mean)that they didn't go to services. Maybe they have never quite felt welcome in the congregations around here, but today they were a wonderful vision to behold! It never ceases to amaze me how God can be so busy about His business and leave me completely uninformed. I suppose that has to do with the amount of time I spend actively listening to what He is saying. I try, but, like most folks, even the preacher has a tough time with paying attention all the time. I give thanks tonight for the many blessings that accompanied the lighting of this year's forth Advent candle. More than we sometimes realize God has been busy planning our days and hours and minutes since before we were knit together in our mother's wombs. That is a direct reference to the words of the prophet Isaiah! He was right! God knows our needs better than we know them ourselves. Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. If you have not received Christ as your personal Savior as yet, maybe this is the time for you to enter into that moment of comittment that transcends the world. It's sort of like making it to the next level when you're doing video games(this is putting it so lightly I may get struck by lightning). You've wanted to get there, and when you finally do, you realize how easy it was and how good it is! Unconditional love is a wonderful experience in which to share! Wherever you are in your spiritual walk God will meet you there and make the rest of life's journey with you. In Christ's Love, Preacher. 

Brrrrrr! It Will Be A Chilly Sunday.

Can't stay long tonight, gotta finish sermon prep before midnight so I can get some sleep! I really wanted to share with everyone all of the interesting things that my grand daughter and I accomplished today, but then I realized, they wouldn't be nearly as exciting for you to read about as they were for me to be in the process of sharing. The sermon has been pared down from 45 minutes to 30 minutes, give or take a couple of illustrations. I try to be sensitive to the folks in the pews as much as is possible. This is the final wind up for next Sunday's "big one!" Truthfully speaking, I know that everyone has heard the message at least once, my assignment is to refresh their memory. I pray that your Sunday is a wonderful time of sharing in the lighting of the next Advent candle and singing familiar Christmas hymns. In Christ's Love, Preacher.