Christmas is Just the Beginning

A little over 2000 years ago today, a child was born in a humble manger in Bethlehem. We celebrate this Christmas Day every year, sometimes forgetting, even as Christians, it’s significance. Throughout the season of Advent we yearn for the coming of the Christ child. Christmas comes and goes and in the hustle and bustle of every day we lose sight of the rest of the story. The most important part of all is that Jesus came to earth to atone for the sins of all mankind. I came across this video that reminds me of what should be our daily celebration of Christ’s life, death and resurrection on this earth. The day of Jesus’ birth in meager circumstances in Bethlehem was followed by 33 years of sacrifice for me and for you.
Santa & Jesus by Igniter Media CLICK HERE TO VIEW

ABC News: Calif. Court: Would-Be Good Samaritan Can Be Sued

ABC News reported tonight on a legal decision in California allowing a lawsuit to proceed in the case of a woman who was harmed in the course of being helped by a co-worker. The woman became a paraplegic as a result of her co-worker’s assistance. She claims that the man handled her like a ‘rag-doll.’ The co-worker pulled her from the car because he was fearful that it might catch fire. I cannot fathom any situation where it should be permissible to reward someones good intentions by suing them. Has our society become too litigious? Should there be legal protection for Good Samaritans? What are your thoughts?

ABC News: Calif. Court: Would-Be Good Samaritan Can Be Sued

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By the way, You have my assurance that in any instance where I might require assistance, you can help me without fear of being sued.

Response to a discussion on Facebook

The following is my response to a controversial discussion on Facebook entitled “why does the greatest mass murderer in history have so many fans? “

The scripture that you refer to (Exodus 32:27-28) is in the Old Testament. It in fact occured at the time that the Ten Commandments were being inscribed and delivered to the Israelites. In Exodus 34:14, it is explained that God is a jealous God. The Israelites had been repeatedly exhorted not to worship false Gods, yet they plead for Aaron to make an idol for them to worship.

The Old Testament is the story of a people who fall short of their covenant with God over and over again. This is why they were in and out of bondage throughout the Bible. They failed to have faith and live under the covenant that God extended to them. For this they paid the price. It is a morality lesson for all of us.

Further, the New Testament establishes a New Covenant with God’s people. In the New Testament God does not exact vengeance with his own hand, yet the children of Israel remain in bondage to Rome, until the Messiah comes to deliver them. This is, in particular, often misinterpreted. Their delivery, and ours, is Jesus The Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the shedding of his perfect blood to redeem imperfect humans of their sins. The Israelites of the Old Testament did not have the benefit of this sacrifice at the time of their lives. Now, several thousand years later we still have the benefit of that sacrifice if we accept the Him as our Lord and Saviour.

Those who are involved in murder and warfare in the name of religion are not God’s people and are not sanctified or righteous. There are radicals out there who misinterpret the word of God for their own means. They are very simply wrong.

I am interested to hear your thoughts on this topic.

What I’m Thankful For

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without searching our souls and giving voice to all of the thanks that we may have inadvertently allowed to go silent. It is also important that we make a reaffirmation that we will be thankful throughout the year to come. Perhaps it might help to associate this with a task or activity that we do everyday thereby attaching a mental ‘post-it’ note to that time. So, on this day of giving thanks, here are a few of the things for which I am thankful:

• Good Friends — I can’t remember where I heard it, but a really good friend is someone who will tell you the truth all of the time.
• Happy ‘Accidents’ — sometimes it seems like things are happening that are out of our control and that can be a little scary, but it will turn out all right.
• Role Models — yes, even at thirty-four years old I still have role models; people that I want to be like when I grow up.
• Coffee — okay, not all of the items on my list are as deep as others, but I enjoy a nice cup of coffee (btw – a little secret, this is one of my personal ‘post-it’ notes, and it validates the indulgence of really good coffee. I’m not just having a non-fat latte with an extra shot, I’m giving thanks).
• A Great Church Home — I have the privelege of serving as an intern in children’s ministry at my church this year and, although I’ve only been at it for a short time, I’ve been blessed above and beyond the bounteous blessings I’ve already experienced by being a member of the church.
• Technology — If you know me well, you know that I’m a technofile, so it would be remiss for me not to be thankful for the many gadgets that make life easier (and keep us from having to write on stone tablets).
• Liberty — I’m thankful that I live in a country where we have rights (it’s not nearly as widely known as it ought to be, but in many countries people not only don’t have rights, they are also subjected to injustices such as slavery, false imprisonment and forced prostitution).
• Jesus Christ — that he laid down his human life in the agony of crucifixion and shed his own blood to redeem us from our sin is undisputedly the most important thing for which we all need to be thankful.

What are you thankful for? I’d love to here your thoughts.

‘Tis the Season to be Giving (Thanks)

I saw a story on the news this evening that struck me as a compelling illustration of the selfless heart of a child. Brenden was about eight or ten years old. He was recently diagnosed with an incurable disease and given a very short prognosis. On the way home from the hospital, Brenden noticed a group of homeless people, huddled against the cold, perfectly still, some standing, some sitting, but all clearly miserable. Brenden made a simple observation that in an instant started a mini-movement; a mobilization of friends, family, neighbors and even perfect strangers.

“They might be hungry.”

That was it. That was all he said. His mother went to the grocery store, picked up some items, prepared some sack lunches and then delivered them to the unfortunate group that they had seen earlier that day on the drive home.

“They might be hungry.”

The words echoed throughout their community and eventually beyond. Brenden was given a remaining life span measured in days, yet his thoughts were not for himself, but for those who were without the basic dignities that are the right of all humans. He did not complain that he was in pain or that he wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow up, finish his education, have a career and a family of his own. No, Brenden chose to focus on something else.

“They might be hungry.”

In short order a grass-roots campaign rallied around Brenden’s words and worked to feed the homeless. They raised food contributions and over $50,000 for the cause. Sack lunches are delivered, each with the dedication ‘Love, Brenden’ written in marker on the outside. The campaign has grown to feed more than the original few that Brenden and his mom encountered on the way home from the hospital.

“They might be hungry.”

Brenden died on Friday. He left the world a more brave and compassionate child than most of us ever become as adults. In a final interview just before he passed, Brenden said in a frail voice, too weak even to open his eyes, “‘Tis the Season to be Giving.” Indeed, it is the Season to be Giving, but I add to that, this holiday week a sentiment that I hope will last in my heart year round. ‘Tis the Season to be Giving Thanks.’ This week as you gather with your families and give thanks for the bounty that we have, take a moment to remember Brenden… better yet take a moment to act. Give to your local soup kitchen, pantry or homeless shelter. Donate to Harvesters while you are at the grocery store picking up items for your own Thanksgiving dinner. Donate to your church’s food mission. Next time you see a bell ringer in front of a retail store, drop whatever you can into their red bucket. Volunteer at a homeless outreach. Find a way to honor a dying young boy’s selflessness and concern for others over himself. Above all, remember Brenden’s words “‘Tis the Season to be Giving.”

Elocution, Lexicon and Grammar

Lately I’ve been making a concerted effort to become a better public speaker. There are several habits I’ve picked up along the way that I’d like to rid myself off:

1. Saying “Um” or “Uh” in any context. Neither are words in the English language.
2. Using “like” instead of “said” (I was like).
3. Speaking more clearly and enunciating.
4. Always speaking with the appropriate projection and volume, never too softly.
5. Speaking confidently and being sure of my words.
6. Eliminating euphemisms from my speech (Oh my God, Good Lord).

I’ll start with these goals. I’m sure I’ll be adding more soon.

Madagascar 2 – Back to Africa

I went to see Madagascar 2 in IMAX last night (it’s true, I’ve always been an animated movie geek) and enjoyed it just as much as the first Madagascar, maybe more. It was very funny, although I’m not sure (as with a lot of animated comedies) that the kids will get as many laughs as adults. I’ve heard several reviews that said that it was too violent or scary for kids. I didn’t notice that about this movie, but to be clear, it is rated PG. (Gone are the days of the G rated family film). I did notice that all of the kids in the theatre (I’m certain I was the only adult without children there) seemed to enjoy it — lots of laughs throughout and several commentaries (some that were even valid observations on scientific and geographical inaccuracies in the movie) from the little girl sitting behind me. If you haven’t seen it already, I would recommend it. It was very well written and the animation is absolutely stunning in IMAX.

Extreme Injustice in Somalia

A tragic reality of injustice in Africa — clipped from BBC News Website. Keep in mind that for every story that we do hear about, there are many more that are kept silent by governments, perpetrators and yes even victims who fear for their lives or are too embarrassed to ask for help. My question to you is what will you do as a Christian to stop the atrocities in Africa and around the World? IJM (The International Justice Mission) fights for the rights of people in all manner of unjust situations. You can help! Visit http://www.ijm.org to give or to get involved in these important missions. The story below is difficult to read, but please don’t turn a blind eye. I’m sure you’ll be moved to help make a difference in the lives of the oppressed and persecuted. Stoning victim ‘begged for mercy’

A young woman recently stoned to death in Somalia first pleaded for her life, a witness has told the BBC. “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me,” she said, according to the man who wanted to remain anonymous. A few minutes later, more than 50 men threw stones. Human rights group Amnesty International says the victim was a 13-year-old girl who had been raped. Initial reports had said she was a 23-year-old woman who had confessed to adultery before a Sharia court. Numerous eye-witnesses say she was forced into a hole, buried up to her neck then pelted with stones until she died in front of more than 1,000 people last week. Meanwhile, Islamists in the capital, Mogadishu have carried out a public flogging. Mogadishu is nominally under the control of government forces and their Ethiopian allies, who face frequent attacks by Islamist and nationalist insurgents. The BBC’s Mohammed Olad Hassan in the city says the flogging was a show of strength. He says two men accused of helping to kill a man and torture his mother, who they accused of theft, were each given 39 lashes in the north-eastern suburb of Suqa-hola. The man who actually killed the alleged thief was released, after agreeing to pay his family 100 camels in compensation. Before the flogging, hundreds of Islamist fighters performed a military parade, our reporter says. Death threats Cameras were banned from the stoning in Kismayo, but print and radio journalists who were allowed to attend estimated that the woman, Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow, was 23 years old. However, Amnesty said it had learned she was 13, and that her father had said she was raped by three men. When the family tried to report the rape, the girl was accused of adultery and detained, Amnesty said. Convicting a girl of 13 for adultery would be illegal under Islamic law. A human rights activist in the town told the BBC on condition of anonymity that he had received death threats from the Islamic militia, who accuse him of spreading false information about the incident. He denies having anything to with Amnesty’s report. ‘Crying’ Court authorities have said the woman came to them admitting her guilt. She was asked several times to review her confession but she stressed that she wanted Sharia law and the deserved punishment to apply, they said. But a witness who spoke to the BBC’s Today programme said she had been crying and had to be forced into a hole before the stoning, reported to have taken place in a football stadium. “More than 1,000 people arrived there,” he said. “After two hours, the Islamic administration in Kismayo brought the lady to the place and when she came out she said: ‘What do you want from me?’” “They said: ‘We will do what Allah has instructed us’. She said: ‘I’m not going, I’m not going. Don’t kill me, don’t kill me.’ “A few minutes later more than 50 men tried to stone her.” ‘Checked by nurses’ The witness said people crowding round to see the execution said it was “awful”. “People were saying this was not good for Sharia law, this was not good for human rights, this was not good for anything.” But no-one tried to stop the Islamist officials, who were armed, the witness said. He said one boy was shot in the confusion. According to Amnesty International, nurses were sent to check during the stoning whether the victim was still alive. They removed her from the ground and declared that she was, before she was replaced so the stoning could continue. The port of Kismayo was seized in August by a coalition of forces loyal to rebel leader Hassan Turki, and al-Shabab, the country’s main radical Islamist insurgent organisation. Mr Turki is on the US list of “financers of terrorism”. It was the first reported execution by stoning in the southern port city since Islamist insurgents captured it. The BBC had a reporter in the area, but he was shot dead in Kismayo in June.

A personal “history” lesson on civic duty

A long long time ago, when I was seventeen going on eighteen, I had a history teacher. This teacher kept a calendar of his students eighteenth birthdays. Now, in the context of an eighteen year old high school boy, a lesson on civic duty was the last ‘birthday present’ that we wanted, but we got it, nonetheless. Throughout the year, as each of my classmates turned eighteen they were promptly sent off to the counselor’s office to register to vote, register for selective service and then to the library to research who our goverment representatives were at the state and federal level. (To give a little perspective, at that time, Al Gore was still ‘inventing’ the internet ) Chances were that by the time you, registered to vote, registered for selective service and finished all this research the old fashioned way, you were late for your next class. The history teacher with the birthday calendar had somehow taken care of that already though. When you arrived late for your next class your teacher not only expected you to be late, but then quizzed you on what you found in your research and congratulated you on your new found responsibility and wished you a happy birthday too.

This was a simple excercise, a micro-crusade by a high shool history teacher, but multiplying that by many students over many years of his career, it is certain that he made an impact on many young Americans (and is probably still at it today). He certainly made an impact on me, and I’ve taken my duty as an American, to participate in the electoral process, of profound importance.

Now, in this internet age, there is no excuse not to vote or to be educated on the candidates and ballot initiatives. With the ability to print out a copy of your ballot early and research it, an unprecedented number of voters are now more knowledgeable walking into their polling place.

Finally, to that history teacher with the birthday calendar, Thank you!

The IT factor

 I just finished reading another book, It – How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep IT  by Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv. It is a remarkable book, written with wit and wisdom. Groeschel will make you laugh while he is teaching you one of the most important leadership lessons you’ll ever learn. I was quite surprised to learn that many of the principles in this book, written primarily for Church and Ministry leaders had so many parallels to secular leadership. In fact, the author refers to one of the most widely read books on leadership in the secular world, Good to Great by Jim Collins, several times.

IT is much more complicated (yet simple) than I can explain in a single blog post, but I can tell you that I will be keeping this book handy, whatever path God leads me to. My greatest take-away from it is that you or your ministry cannot get IT or keep IT by consciously plotting or planning to do so. IT requires focus and leadership, knowing what your ministry does well and knowing what is not working. The simplest idea, like having a ‘not to do list,’ can change your entire ministry paradigm. This is definitely a must read!