The dullness in excitement of the new year is directly proportional the the WONDERFULNESS of the Christmas season that has just passed.  What goes up, must come down.

It was just different this year.  In the past years I have found myself loathing that time between Thanksgiving and New Years day.   I’m guessing that having young children helps one remember the magic of the Christmas season — but this year was different.

In fully embracing the season,  I downloaded and listened to some classic Christmas music that transported me right back to being a child waiting and anticipating the awesomeness of Christmas!  As a Christ follower I also remembered the “reason for the season” and focused on the gift of God in dwelling with us in flesh.

Christmas Eve found me in the best spirits watching the DVD’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Ghosts of Christmas Eve”  and “The Polar Express.”  Pure magic!

Christmas was fantastic!

Instead of the usual relief  that Christmas was now over… I found that something had transformed my heart.  It wasn’t about gifts — It was about “The gift.”   God’s absolute love manifested in Christ, and even for a brief time manifested in the “love” of the Christmas season by His people.   If only everyday could be Christmas!

New Years Eve arrived with all the anticipation of a dental appointment.   A Facebook friend must have been feeling very similar with his thoughts about all of the hoopla of New Years Eve expressed simply as: “I don’t get it…” My thoughts?

Thats quite the contrast between the two “Eves.”

Well, yesterday was New Years  Day.  Irene took down the Christmas tree.   (Note: It is not that she wanted to take down the Christmas tree … Irene truly carries a little Christmas in her heart and home decor all year long!)  My thoughts?

“I’m bummed!  I’m just not ready to let go of Christmas yet…  I want to put on another TSO CD on!”   I think I am mourning Christmas!

So — here we are.   Where do we go from here?

Christmas is just an arbitrary date someone long ago chose to focus on the birth of Jesus.  Most historians would tell you that most likely, Jesus was NOT born on December 25.   So it isn’t the day or date that makes Christmas so special.  So what then?

Christmas is synonymous with God’s LOVE… That God would LOVE mankind so much — that despite man’s rejection and disobedience of God,  God’s KINDNESS would not leave man in that separated state.  It is in PEACE that God came to dwell in the GENTLENESS of a baby, born to an almost “homeless” teenage mother…  The JOY of Heaven had come down to this Earth with great celebration and JOY.

During the Christmas celebration,  we wait for the day of Christmas PATIENTLY with great anticipation and SELF-CONTROL.

In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul expresses that these are manifestations of God’s Holy Spirit.  We call them  ”The Fruits of the Spirit.”

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… “

My “resolution” (for lack of a better word) is to try and carry these things forward from my Christmas experience. In doing so, perhaps I can keep “The Spirit of Christmas” going  just a little longer…

If the start of a new year is really a time to focus on what we learned in the past with a resolve to carry the good and change the not-so-good into the future, then 2011 can be summed up as this:

My behavior may look fine in comparison to some.  It may fall short in comparison to others… But compared to God’s perfection, I fall tremendously short of what God expects from me.  No mater how hard I try, there is NOTHING I can do in my own power to make up for that difference.   That “Christmas Baby” that came to dwell amongst sinful man did so in perfection.  Because of His love, He died in place of all of those who have fallen short.  People like me.

I found the following compact, concise statement of grace that I will try to commit to memory for 2012:

“My sin is so bad that nothing short of the death of the son of God could pay for it, and that is exactly what I have.”

Sometime late in the twentieth century as families gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving they realized that Christmas was just about a month away.  With most gifts now more often being purchased instead of homemade, this seemed to be a really good time to start Christmas shopping.  As many businesses gave their employees the Friday following the holiday off to enjoy an extended weekend, this was a natural time to get that gift shopping started.

Retail stores, having ran their businesses in the “red” all year seemingly seemed to be able to finally make it into a profit or “black” condition due to what used to be known as “the busiest shopping day of the year.”   Hence the birth of “Black Friday.”

Retailers have now turned this “frenzy” into a day of mass pandemonium as shoppers fight each other over inferior half price products the retailer couldn’t seem to get rid of at full price the past eleven months of the year.  People have been trampled and have even died in the race to acquire such treasures.  It’s madness.

But long before this “Black Friday” came to be there was another “Black Friday.”

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.  The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. — Luke 23:44-48

The sun stopped shining.  Darkness came over the whole land.   It was Friday.   I would say that this was indeed a “Black Friday.”

What was happening here?  They were killing a man — an innocent man — for a crimes He did not commit.  In fact, he never committed any crime or infraction.  He was more than a man, however — He was also God, Himself.   It was only God Himself who was perfect and righteous enough to pay the price for crimes He did not commit.

That crime was committed years before in a garden paradise.  An innocent man and woman were convinced to turn against God.   Because of that “crime” against God, The man and woman became imperfect.  God could no longer have a close relationship with imperfection.  The penalty for that crime was death.  Spiritual death — a separation from God.

Despite the separation, God still loved the man, woman and all of their offspring who were all under the curse of that crime.    How could man again be released from the separation from God?

God had a plan.

If someone who was not under that curse were to come and pay for that crime, all crimes would be pardoned and paid in full…

So He became a man — a decedent of a fallen man — But yet maintained His deity and innocence… Fully man and fully God.

And so on that original “Black Friday” God went shopping.   He waited for that day, that time, that hour to make His purchase.   He paid full price with His innocent blood, and He died in place of the people He loved so much.  The people He created in His image.   He offered up His sacrifice as a gift.  You might even call it a “Christmas Gift” — because ironically we celebrate His birth in the tradition of giving gifts.

Gifts sometimes purchased on “Black Friday.”

For us the recipients –  I’d call that a bargain… The best I ever had.

In not so many words, I’ve been too preoccupied with life to update much.   Sometimes when the Christian life seems to be going counter-opposite what WE think GOD should be doing, maybe we aren’t as vocal as when everything is sailing smoothly.  In my over a month of silence however has been growth.

“I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow
And ne’er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When sorrow walked with me.”

– Robert Browning Hamilton

It’s been a rough few months. Car frame busted. (Unrepairable. Reduced us to using our “backup” vehicle as our “main” vehicle.)  Then that vehicle had it’s window shot out. Then the rack and pinion had to be replaced. Then the brakes and idler pulley.  Then our furnace needed a motor.  Then the washing machine died. (Fixed that one…) Last week my eyeglasses broke, and I had to get THOSE replaced.  Throw in some constant pain and health issues… And today, the CLOTHES DRYER has died. At least we had a really great weekend and a few days without struggles.

Providence: If your truck has to take a bullet, better this window then the one your arm is leaning out of!

But — I’m gonna call it “pure joy” — And try to stay focused.  God will provide somehow.  We are blessed.

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Harvest Weekend

Here we are at the end of October.   Harvest weekend is upon us.   I call it “Harvest” weekend because traditionally the rest of the world is celebrating Halloween.   I don’t even like to SAY that word.    To me the entire event is becoming much too large scale.

I did find an awesome explanation of a very controversial subject, with a very neutral presentation.   It explains the history, the churches recognition, the preservation of pagan ritual — and the various stances we as Christians can take in the observance of “Halloween.”

Should Christians Participate In Halloween?

Here in the Anderson household, our participation is very minimal.   Let’s just say we really don’t embrace most of what the event portrays.  Somehow each year I manage to do “Harvest Pumpkins” for the kids.  I spend a little extra time trying to be a little different to try to add emphasis to the few things of the season we do participate in.

Russell got a kick out of getting his hands into the pumpkin pulp, and I allowed him to get the feel of the little pumpkin saw. Ally was trying to scoop things out too. Dad’s mantra: Save the seeds! I honestly think my biggest reward is those seeds!

I also stumbled upon an awesome poem about pumpkin carving…

Dear God,
As I carve my pumpkin help me say this prayer:

Open my mind so I can learn about You;
(Cut the top of the pumpkin)
Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do.
(Clean out the inside)
Open my eyes so your love I will see;
(Cut the eyes out in heart shapes)
I’m so sorry for turning up my nose to all you’ve given me.
(Cut a nose in the shape of a cross)
Open my ears so your word I will hear.
(Cut the ears shaped like the Bible)
Open my mouth so I can tell others You’re near
(cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)
Let Your light shine in all I say and do! Amen.
(Place a candle inside and light it)

Taking It All In Stride

Despite everything, I try to take each day as it comes.   Yesterday I was able to catch a sunrise while at work.  In between climbing into trucks I was able to catch some breathtaking views of creation — to which my little camera doesn’t even begin to do justice.

At Work: In The Shadow of the Cross

A view from my seat at Promise Keepers 2011 - Akron, Ohio

Many a man heard truth in many facets surrounding family, purity, fatherhood and accountability.

Sadly, there was one man missing from the conference.

For whatever reason, his plans got cancelled, a ride fell through…  But later that evening while we were all praising the Lord and listening to Coach McCartney in unity, they had already cut him down from the rafters in his garage.    He couldn’t take it anymore, and he chose to end his life instead of trying to continue on.

They said he was a deacon in his church, he knew the Lord for many years — but whatever it was that lead him to this decision, it made clear to all of us in attendance that it was exactly what and why PK was gathering:  We need each other.   Every man needs other men to hold each other up so that when one is weak, another can help to pick him up — and together they can keep moving forward.

God’s Word has this to say:

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

There is a line in the movie “Toy Story” where Sheriff Woody addresses all of the other toys about to be forced into moving boxes to move to a new home:

“A moving buddy.  If you don’t have one, get one!”

The logic behind this statement was that if each toy had a moving buddy, no toy would be left behind.

I wish I could claim the uniqueness of realizing this parallel between the real life truth and this movie quote, but I must give credit where credit is due:  Brian Bales, senior pastor of Riverwood Community Chapel came up with this:

“An accountability partner.  If you don’t have one, get one!”

Image of Moving Buddy

The stakes are high.  There is indeed a war going on all around us — It’s a battle for our minds and our hearts.   God is showing us that His way of doing things is right and pure.  The world is telling us different.

Just watch any sporting even on TV (and I’m not coming down on sports, just saying…) and watch the commercials.  What are they saying?  Drink this beverage…  Eat this food… Use this product — In other words “Your life is incomplete without  X.”   And we as men are buying it!

Is it any wonder that we fail as men when we are being inundated with the world’s lie constantly?  Is it any wonder that we “buy the lie” and then feel empty?  And in that emptiness, where do we go?  To whom do we go?  Divided we are easy to conquer — but if we stand together and face the enemy together, we stand in victory!

God’s priorities  are different then what the world is selling us — God is interested in a man’s HEART — And He wants to give us a NEW one.  (Ezekiel 36:26)   He has given us the awesome responsibility of making a priority of SEEKING HIM — and imparting this knowledge of Him to our son’s and daughters.  It’s all about looking beyond the airbrushed fake “size 0″ models in those TV beer commercials and cleaving and growing closer to your wife.

Beyond all the “machismo” they tell us men we should have, God is saying that a REAL man seeks Him, unashamed.   REAL men need other REAL men to help keep those priorities right.

“An accountability partner.  If you don’t have one, get one!”

This should be our battle cry.   Just like the Army,  I’m “looking for a few good men.”  Any takers?

The Infamous Robert Johnson Crossroads

I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above “Have mercy, now save poor Bob, if you please”

Yeoo, standin’ at the crossroad, tried to flag a ride
Ooo eeee, I tried to flag a ride
Didn’t nobody seem to know me, babe, everybody pass me by

These were the words penned by the bluesman Robert Johnson.   As the legend goes, Robert Johnson couldn’t play guitar for nothing.  Just didn’t have it in him.   They say he stood at the crossroads one night in Clarksdale, Mississippi and handed his guitar to a tall black man, supposedly Satan himself who tuned his guitar and played a few tunes before handing the guitar back to Johnson in exchange for his soul.

Click to watch an expose on the legend of Bluesman Robert Johnson.

Johnson died young, a member of the “27 Club.”  He is also dubbed the “Father of Rock & Roll” and the “King of the Delta Blues.”

I’m not going to speculate on the legend’s truth or it’s theological ramifications, but I do know the story speaks of a crossroads in Robert Johnson’s life.  There was a decision to be made, and a life altering decision at that!

I haven’t wrote much in the past several days because I have been edified with good teachings, and some digestion has been necessary.  The words would not have came if I tried, so sometimes it’s just better to let that digestion occur.

One such teaching has been that of James MacDonald in a sermon called: Family First Aid: Wrestling God for Your Family.  My suggestion is to head to MacDonald’s website and take a listen  for yourself!   James tells of another famous crossroad experience.

The teaching of James tells the story of Jacob as told in Genesis 32:22-32.   Years have passed since Jacob stole the birthright of his brother Esau and fled to Laban, and Jacob marries Leah, and then Rachel. (Genesis 29)  This is where we tune into the “Crossroads” experience of Jacob.   Jacob is in trouble.  Esau is still really ticked off, and wants to kill Jacob — So much so that he’s bringing 400 men with him to make sure of it. (Genesis 32:6)   Not a fair fight.  Jacob comes to a river and spends a great deal of time moving his livestock and family across the river:

22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.

23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had.

24 And Jacob was left alone.  And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.

26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”

28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.

30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.

This is one of those Bible passages that leaves you kinda standing back scratching your heard asking the question: “What just happened here?”

Jacob gets alone with God.  This is a very good thing to do when you step back and realize that really, there are times and situations in life when you realize “There is nothing I can do in my own power to fix or deal with the present circumstances.”  (Genesis 32:24)  Actually, the quote is my own, because, I been there.  I’ve stood at that crossroad and talked it out with God.

The other thing I might point out is how God will “play the game” and allow you to continue on “wrestling” with Him for a season.   You can spend your time, resources and energy, but there may come a time when God says: “Enough!”  The resulting action may cause you a great deal of pain, as is the case where “The Angel of the Lord.” touches Jacob’s thigh and puts it out of socket.   You ever had anything out of socket?  This was not a light pain. (Genesis 32:25)  I also suggest that there are times when there are issues we need to deal with — maybe something in our life that is “out of socket” or not right with God.   Ultimately, God may allow that to continue for a while, but at some point, that “thing”  or situation needs to be addressed.

And by the way… Who is this “man” who wrestled with Jacob?  Who is this “man” who has the power to wrestle with Jacob, hurt him, heal him, bless him — and rename him?  Who is this “man” who is both a physical “man” and yet has the power of “God?”   This is none other than the preincarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The name of Jacob means “Cheater” or “Deceiver.”  — And 97 year old Jacob had spent his life up to this point living up to that moniker.   God Himself takes a look at Jacob and says: You may have been all of these things in the past, but from this day, and because of my blessing, you will now be known as “Israel.” (Which mean’s God’s Fighter, or “He strives WITH God.”)

Despite the healing, I suspect Jacob/Israel walks with a limp.  This is a reminder of where he has been.

As with most Bible passages, these words can mean different things to different people, to different generations, in different circumstances.

I really think there comes a time in every person’s life when you have to come to the realization that really, we don’t have what it takes.  We fall desperately short in whatever area, and really it’s going to take a miracle to go on.   I suggest that THAT miracle and blessing is there and available at that “crossroads” in the person of Jesus.

Every man, woman and child is DESPERATE and in need of His salvation, as only through the blood of Jesus can sins be placed “as far as the East is from the West.”  But moreover, Jesus says that He “has come to give you life, and life more abundant.”

Have you come to “The Crossroads?”

“Music directly imitates the passions or states of the soul…when one listens to music that imitates a certain passion, he becomes imbued with the same passion; and if over a long time he habitually listens to music that rouses ignoble passions, his whole character will be shaped to an ignoble form.” – Aristotle

Amy Winehouse (1983 - 2011)

Popular singer Amy Winehouse has died.   She had her struggles and addictions, which apparently got the best of her.  She was 27.  Amy was yet another product of the music industry.

I have to admit that I really was not a fan of Amy, but more so it is the industry that I have a complete disdain for.

It disgusts me that the music industry will take a singer with some semblance of talent, market and mold them into the image they wish to portray.  They are the “star” as long as they produce — And when they don’t?   The industry will spit them out and forget them.

Popular culture and media is A LIE.  It’s all about doing whatever you want, whatever makes you feel good. They all tell you that life is a party, and nothing awaits us in the afterlife… I’m here to tell you, it’s all about MONEY — they could care less about entertaining you.

When an artist gets so caught up and starts believing their own lies — And realize that they still feel the loneliness, and that there is something missing, they try to fill it with money, sex, drugs, booze… And Satan comes calling for the soul they sold to attain their fame.

What a waste of life…

Amy has become the newest member of “The 27 Club.”   There must be something about the age of 27, because some of the “greats” of the music industry have died at the age of 27, thus creating the “27″ club.

A more complete explanation of the 27 club is available HERE

Although not popular by any means, I could have been a member of the “27 Club” myself.  It’s been several years ago now, but I remember my age 27 as being a time when I really questioned what life was all about.   27 found me being 6 or 7 years into a full time job, and I also had a full time gig as a club DJ where every Friday and Saturday night was consumed “spinning records” for a crowd of faithful regulars.   It was my life.  Every Friday and Saturday was a “Party.”  I knew how to wield the power of music, and I knew how to cast it’s spell over the crowd.   The crowd would respond to the magic, and I would be amazed at it’s power.

What I also remember about age 27 was wondering if “this was all that there was to life?”   I remember purchasing several books in search of what “life was all about.”   It is by the grace of God that He chose to reach out to me, and by a very strange chance meeting, I met the Lord Jesus Christ on February 14, 1990 at the wonderful age of 27.   Had Christ not called me at that time, I wonder what could have become of me at that juncture of life.

Those who do not TRULY know Jesus Christ are BLINDED.   There is another “bill of goods being sold”, and it’s being sold to us in some of the sweetest forms.  2 Corinthians 11:14 even states that Satan himself masquerades as an “Angel of Light.”   Want to see how the media has been perverted?  Check out http://theater.goodfight.org/ — This site has hours of clips dealing with some of the most “harmless” music.

http://theater.goodfight.org/

And after all, music is “harmless” — Isn’t it?

I’m not going to tell you that listening to The Beatles is going to send you to Hell.   What I will tell you is that if you don’t know, Jesus, you are indeed already on your way.    If your life is all about consuming yourself in your media, that’s going to take your eyes and resources off of the REAL REASON we are here on this earth.

The chief end of man is to KNOW and SERVE GOD.

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” – Deuteronomy  6:5-7

There is only ONE WAY to God, and that is through His son Jesus Christ. If you die without knowing Jesus, you will spend eternity separated from God.

Are you right with God?   http://www.needhim.org/

“For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now.  Today is the day of salvation.” – (II Corinthians 6:2)

RIP Saturn C2 -- 1998-2011

The problem was that the frame that held her together was slowly rotting away.    Rust, like a cancer was consuming the structure that the car was built on.  When on the outside she looked like a normal car, everything underneath was crumbling.

The Saturn had blessed us with many miles of service and will be greatly missed.

My wife Irene and myself are still beside ourself in how this loss will impact our family.  In discussing this morning on how “blessed” we were as a family to not be driving down the Interstate when the steering/frame decided to quit, we came upon a revelation.   I told Irene, “The way that type of car is built is different — it’s basically plastic parts and panels on the outside, placed on a frame.  It looks good on the outside, but when the frame goes south, the rest of the car is just great looking plastic trash.”

Irene looked at me in revelation.  “That’s deep.”  — and I guess we both realized so great truth in the circumstances.

When I attended Logos Bible Institute, I took a course of Systematic Theology.   In trying to figure out what that was way back then, I was told the first day that “systematic theology was a frame structure of study to which one could build their faith upon.”   We were not going to study in-depth, we were going to cover all of the basics of the Christian faith, from there, our Christian belief would be hung.    It was a fascinating 2 years, and has served me well daily.

Today’s revelation goes beyond this.  How many people out in the world have no idea that their “Spiritual” part of this life is hanging on a physical rotting carcass that is indeed going to fail.  We try to dress up the outside with our “plastic” panels, and we might even polish and wax the skin, but  it’s just a matter of time and all of us are going to die.

Plastic panels on a rotting frame.

Someday as we drive along the road of life, that physical frame is going to break.  Then what happens?