The Christmas season brings much joy to the world: gift exchanges, office parties, time with family, moving worship services, cookies, wassel, sentimental movies, the list goes on. But there is also a lot of pressure that comes with the Christmas season.
There is pressure to purchase gifts for all of the special people in our lives. And for those among us with tight financial budgets, this can make for an exceedingly stressful month. Not only do we have to make sure our children or grandchildren have their socks blown off by mounds of Christmas presents, but we also feel the pinch to purchase gifts for neighbors, nieces, cousins, co-workers, and friends.
There is the pressure to experience warm and special family moments around the family fireplace. For those among us who have experienced divorce or the death of a spouse or child, the Christmas season can be painful. The empty chair at the table is a constant reminder of painful loss, and the hearth of the fireplace seems to yield nothing but cold and ashes.
There is the pressure to be at every holiday event (family parties, office parties, church worship services) on top of an already-full family calendar.
I am not trying to be a Debbie Downer or anything. I love Christmas. As a pastor, however, I am aware that the pastoral care needs in my congregation increase around this time of year. More of the pain in people's lives rises to the surface; feelings and emotions that were buried throughout the first 11 months of the year find their way to the surface.
Whether or not we are a pastor, we can all be on the lookout for friends, co-workers, family members, and neighbors that may be having a difficult time with the holidays. This is not an attempt to add another burden to the pressures we already experience, but to encourage us to keep one eye open for those among us who appear to be imploding.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Why Youth Sports Has Value
There are times when youth sports gets to be too much ... way too much. Parents go overboard. The youth athletes go overboard. Grandparents go overboard. Everybody goes overboard!
Today, families don't even blink when a weekend sports tournament or event means that Sunday morning worship service and Sunday School will be missed. We don't think twice about plunking down several thousand dollars on sports equipment and registration fees, or out-of-state tournaments. And we give our hearts and minds away to the dream of becoming a star athlete and perhaps earning a college scholarship. For many of us, it literally is becoming a form of idol worship.
Having said this, I still think there is value in youth sports. For all of my griping and complaining, the bottom line is that my children are involved in competitive swimming. This means weekend swim meets and before- and after-school practices. It means complete dedication for the whole family! We try our best to keep the sport from becoming an idol, but it takes work, especially in this competitive sports culture in North Texas.
So why does our family even bother with youth sports in the first place? Yes, I have dreams that perhaps one of my kids (or more) will earn a college scholarship. Yes, I have dreams that they will advance to a high school state swim meet. But more importantly, I like that my kids are learning the value of hard work and mental toughness.
Swimming is teaching my children to work toward their "personal best" at all times, and that to reach their personal best, it will take commitment and lots of hours in the pool. They may never win first place. They may never come close to a state meet or the opportunity to swim competitively in college. But they will learn the value of hard work, and the gratification that comes from committing yourself to a goal. They will also experience all of the wonderful benefits that come from regular physical exercise.
And most importantly, they will learn that swimming is only one part of who they are!
Today, families don't even blink when a weekend sports tournament or event means that Sunday morning worship service and Sunday School will be missed. We don't think twice about plunking down several thousand dollars on sports equipment and registration fees, or out-of-state tournaments. And we give our hearts and minds away to the dream of becoming a star athlete and perhaps earning a college scholarship. For many of us, it literally is becoming a form of idol worship.
Having said this, I still think there is value in youth sports. For all of my griping and complaining, the bottom line is that my children are involved in competitive swimming. This means weekend swim meets and before- and after-school practices. It means complete dedication for the whole family! We try our best to keep the sport from becoming an idol, but it takes work, especially in this competitive sports culture in North Texas.
So why does our family even bother with youth sports in the first place? Yes, I have dreams that perhaps one of my kids (or more) will earn a college scholarship. Yes, I have dreams that they will advance to a high school state swim meet. But more importantly, I like that my kids are learning the value of hard work and mental toughness.
Swimming is teaching my children to work toward their "personal best" at all times, and that to reach their personal best, it will take commitment and lots of hours in the pool. They may never win first place. They may never come close to a state meet or the opportunity to swim competitively in college. But they will learn the value of hard work, and the gratification that comes from committing yourself to a goal. They will also experience all of the wonderful benefits that come from regular physical exercise.
And most importantly, they will learn that swimming is only one part of who they are!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Worship is Costly
As I was reading Matthew 26 this morning, it hit me that worship is costly.
A woman brings something of great worth to the home of Simon the leper for the sole purpose of anointing The Christ (The Anointed One). She offers the Lord something of costly value as an expression of worship.
In other words, worship costs us something!
You and I may not have material riches to lavish upon the Lord. We may not have an alabastar jar of expensive ointment. However, we all have the precious commodity of time!
Some might say that worship is a real waste of time. Rather than worship on a Sunday morning, we could be doing other things like working, playing, or competing (for families with children in select-team sports). This passage demonstrates that setting aside daily and weekly time for worship -- worship in which we bring ourselves to full attention before the Lord -- is a form of costly worship.
And when we bring this gift of costly worship before the Lord, he is well-pleased.
In other words, worship costs us something!
You and I may not have material riches to lavish upon the Lord. We may not have an alabastar jar of expensive ointment. However, we all have the precious commodity of time!
Some might say that worship is a real waste of time. Rather than worship on a Sunday morning, we could be doing other things like working, playing, or competing (for families with children in select-team sports). This passage demonstrates that setting aside daily and weekly time for worship -- worship in which we bring ourselves to full attention before the Lord -- is a form of costly worship.
And when we bring this gift of costly worship before the Lord, he is well-pleased.
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Five Dollar Challenge
I am a cheapskate. For the longest time, I have not kept cash in my wallet because I know that I will spend it and "fritter it away."
We run a tight ship in the Keffer household. Every dollar counts. But over time, this stingy habit of mine is catching up with me spiritually. I have let too many opportunities to give pass me by, and this takes a toll on a person after a while.
Inspired by the book Advent Conspiracy, I have decided to keep five $1 bills in my pocket/wallet for the sole purpose of giving them away. Instead of walking past the Salvation Army bell ringer and trying to sneak past him unnoticed, I am setting aside resources to give away. I am now prepared to meet the bell ringer head on with a financial contribution. Every time I have a chance to give toward some other-centered cause, I want to be prepared to give.
One dollar is not a whole lot of money, I know, but it is the discipline of giving that I want to start in my life. I have been stingy with God's blessings for too long. I need to be more like a waterfall that allows God's blessings to pass through me, rather than a stagnant pond that has no outlet.
This is inspired by the book, The Advent Conspiracy (McKinley, Seay, and Holder). It is time to move from being simply a consumer of God's grace to a conspirator of God's grace.
Join with me in this challenge!
Here is the challenge that I and others in my congregation are taking this week. We will have a new challenge next Sunday.
We run a tight ship in the Keffer household. Every dollar counts. But over time, this stingy habit of mine is catching up with me spiritually. I have let too many opportunities to give pass me by, and this takes a toll on a person after a while.
Inspired by the book Advent Conspiracy, I have decided to keep five $1 bills in my pocket/wallet for the sole purpose of giving them away. Instead of walking past the Salvation Army bell ringer and trying to sneak past him unnoticed, I am setting aside resources to give away. I am now prepared to meet the bell ringer head on with a financial contribution. Every time I have a chance to give toward some other-centered cause, I want to be prepared to give.
One dollar is not a whole lot of money, I know, but it is the discipline of giving that I want to start in my life. I have been stingy with God's blessings for too long. I need to be more like a waterfall that allows God's blessings to pass through me, rather than a stagnant pond that has no outlet.
This is inspired by the book, The Advent Conspiracy (McKinley, Seay, and Holder). It is time to move from being simply a consumer of God's grace to a conspirator of God's grace.
Join with me in this challenge!
Here is the challenge that I and others in my congregation are taking this week. We will have a new challenge next Sunday.
Advent
Conspiracy
Thank you for taking the $5 Dollar
Challenge. This week, please keep five
$1 bills in your pocket and give them away, as God leads. Practice the art of
giving and move consumer to conspirator of God’s grace.
Prayer: “God, you gave it all for me in
your son, Jesus Christ. May each dollar that I give away this week teach me how
to be a better giver. May every dollar be a blessing to you and those who
receive it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Avoiding the Wastelands
Every day, it seems, our minds want to lead us into the wilderness, a place in Scripture that is portrayed as a dry and barren wasteland. It is the place that the Scapegoat, Jesus Christ, was led into for 40 days and nights. It is the place of temptation and confusion and desolation.
If I have learned one thing over the past few years it is this: We must renew our minds (Romans 12) and be transformed spiritually. We cannot settle for the wastelands, but instead must ask God to renew our minds and, in turn, our spirits and our lives.
I get discouraged sometimes as I think about the moral course of our nation and even the Church (my denomination, anyways). It is disheartening to read how the Supreme Court's is going to decide on federal court rulings in San Francisco concerning gay marriage, because I know how decisions have been trending lately. I grow frustrated when I read about how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s ecclesial courts turn a blind eye to pastors who are blatantly violating our church's constitution.
Things appear to be careening into the wastelands, at times, particularly in what we teach about the definition of marriage and all things "family." I feel at times like there is no redeeming it, that God has withdrawn his hand. My defeatist attitudes steer me into the same wastelands. And then I remember the unique place I am in to teach and preach the Scriptures and God's Word.
Each of us is in a position to follow God's plan for our lives. If we are living and breathing, then God can use us. I prefer to stand alongside others, because I know I cannot do it alone, but I am still here. You are still here. We are still able to seek renewal and not cross over into the wastelands.
If I have learned one thing over the past few years it is this: We must renew our minds (Romans 12) and be transformed spiritually. We cannot settle for the wastelands, but instead must ask God to renew our minds and, in turn, our spirits and our lives.
I get discouraged sometimes as I think about the moral course of our nation and even the Church (my denomination, anyways). It is disheartening to read how the Supreme Court's is going to decide on federal court rulings in San Francisco concerning gay marriage, because I know how decisions have been trending lately. I grow frustrated when I read about how the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s ecclesial courts turn a blind eye to pastors who are blatantly violating our church's constitution.
Things appear to be careening into the wastelands, at times, particularly in what we teach about the definition of marriage and all things "family." I feel at times like there is no redeeming it, that God has withdrawn his hand. My defeatist attitudes steer me into the same wastelands. And then I remember the unique place I am in to teach and preach the Scriptures and God's Word.
Each of us is in a position to follow God's plan for our lives. If we are living and breathing, then God can use us. I prefer to stand alongside others, because I know I cannot do it alone, but I am still here. You are still here. We are still able to seek renewal and not cross over into the wastelands.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Off the Google Grid
I am shocked.
I just Googled the name of a historical person that a standard Google search knows nothing about. I didn't think this was possible.
Go ahead. Try it. The guy's name is Rev. John Fleetwood, a Bible scholar from the 17th or 18th centuries who wrote the book, "The Life of Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Google his name and tell me if you can find any historical information about this guy. The only results I get are book distributors trying to sell old copies of this book.
I want to know about this man. You see, somebody just gave me an 1863 copy of this book as a gift. It will need to be restored professionally, but I would like to know more about what I am having restored.
Aside from being more than a little curious about this man, I am excited to know there may be uncharted territory out there in cyberspace. It's not exactly Columbus in search of the Indies, but it's got my pioneering blood flowing this morning.
I just Googled the name of a historical person that a standard Google search knows nothing about. I didn't think this was possible.
Go ahead. Try it. The guy's name is Rev. John Fleetwood, a Bible scholar from the 17th or 18th centuries who wrote the book, "The Life of Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Google his name and tell me if you can find any historical information about this guy. The only results I get are book distributors trying to sell old copies of this book.
I want to know about this man. You see, somebody just gave me an 1863 copy of this book as a gift. It will need to be restored professionally, but I would like to know more about what I am having restored.
Aside from being more than a little curious about this man, I am excited to know there may be uncharted territory out there in cyberspace. It's not exactly Columbus in search of the Indies, but it's got my pioneering blood flowing this morning.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Life in the Slow Lane
I just had lunch with an older friend of mine. He drove a whopping 30 miles per hour the whole way to the restaurant, and he opted to stay in the "fast" lane of traffic.
Other drivers weaved their cars around us, so they could arrive at their destinations more quickly. My friend, well, he was oblivious to the aggravation he was causing neighboring drivers. He continued to drive at his own pace, while the world raced on around him.
And then there was lunch.
I powered through my hamburger, fries, and salad in short order while he took his time, cutting each piece of medium-rare steak methodically, taking about one bite every five minutes. More important to him, it seems, was our time together and stories well-told. Me, I was completely interested in what he had to say, don't get me wrong, but I was constantly thinking about the ticking seconds and minutes left in my work day.
Lunch today was a positive exercise, not only because it was delicious (and free) but because my friend forced me to slow down for things that need to be taken more slowly: eating, friendship, conversation, and yes, driving.
Other drivers weaved their cars around us, so they could arrive at their destinations more quickly. My friend, well, he was oblivious to the aggravation he was causing neighboring drivers. He continued to drive at his own pace, while the world raced on around him.
And then there was lunch.
I powered through my hamburger, fries, and salad in short order while he took his time, cutting each piece of medium-rare steak methodically, taking about one bite every five minutes. More important to him, it seems, was our time together and stories well-told. Me, I was completely interested in what he had to say, don't get me wrong, but I was constantly thinking about the ticking seconds and minutes left in my work day.
Lunch today was a positive exercise, not only because it was delicious (and free) but because my friend forced me to slow down for things that need to be taken more slowly: eating, friendship, conversation, and yes, driving.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)