Crossroads Celebration Church

For years my family has loved getting up early on Black Friday and have gone shopping for most of our Christmas presents. It has been a bonding time for the four of us. We have split up to divide and conquer the masses of people and the best sales of the year. Then we come together for breakfast and talk about our spoils. Then we go for the second round of things that usually can wait for later in the day, which is still only about 8 or 9 am. But we do avoid certain places as was evident in this morning’s newspaper (Saturday).

Yesterday in the U.S. there was a Walmart worker that got trampled to death in NY and gun shots in a toy store in the South West. Are we crazy or what? On Christmas morning does daddy explain to the kids that mommy’s not with us because she was going for the Malibu Barbie and shot at another mommy going for the same toy. Or does mom tell the kids on Christmas Eve that dad’s sitting in prison because he ran over and killed a store worker so he could get the biggest, HDTV.

I have a friend in the retail business who called this week to remind me of the big sales going on in his stores. He said that he doesn’t like the phrase Black Friday, but calls it Good Friday. Of course many of you know that was the day they crucified Jesus – Good Friday. I know that Black Friday speaks of the day that all stores will be in the black financially and not in the red. So let’s stick with Black Friday and not have any more Good Friday’s where people are getting killed.

I recall and ask that you recall also, that the whole gift giving idea of Christmas started because God gave us the greatest gift of all, his one and only Son. A Savior is born unto us. I know we enjoy the Black Friday sales at our house, but we know that the real gift is Jesus and our giving to one another is a joy that we share in the holiday that reminds us of the greatest gift of all. So when we are standing in front of a harried cashier, let’s share the love and joy and real gift of Christmas. Let’s be patient and kind to those around us. Let us share Christ with others – leave the guns at home and not rush into the stores like wildly crazed maniacs. Maybe we still should be praying for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Mankind!

Thanksgiving is a little different this year. Though many things have stayed the same, new and hopefully better attitudes prevail this holiday. Here are some of the things I am grateful for:

With mom’s passing at the beginning of the year, I appreciate family more, especially extended family. I have told my father I love him more than any other year.

With my wife’s surgeries late this summer, I hold her closer and tighter. And for her sister’s who came to stay with her in critical times, I have a new respect for the in-laws. We again found out who our friends are and how her company she works for care about her and our family. The outpouring of love was tremendous.

I have recently seen maturity in my two adult children. I respect their faith and their integrity as young adults. They have surprised me in many ways. One I hope you will find in another blog someday.

My wife surprised me with a birthday party at my favorite restaurant and our church showed up. Thank you guys for being there. Birthdays and holidays are big for me and l love a good party.

Speaking of the church and gratitude. We tried a big launch for the church in September. It seemed a flop for me and was very discouraging. But when it was all said and done, the people of the church shared their support and challenged us to move on. It wasn’t long and we have started seeing some new faces. So thank you for your encouragement.

I found new talents this year in teaching college courses. I am having a blast this fall with students who tell me this is their favorite class and the would hate missing it. That has been a boost to the ego. I admit I love going to class as well. Even though I have to work at preparing the material and grading papers and tests, I look forward to every Tuesday and Wednesday night and the students who make up those classes.

I have so much more to share, actually too numerous to count. But behind all that matters is God and family and friends. What more can one be thankful for?

I pray that you take some serious time and thought and sit down and count your blessings. I would assume that many things are the same as last Thanksgiving, and yet some things have changed in family or jobs or circumstances that might give us pause to see some new ways to have a thankful heart. May those who read this be blessed and I share with you my own blessings for your Thanksgiving!

Die hard Republicans unite! I admit I am one and voted for Huckabee in the Iowa Primary. Though I am a Republican, I will support Obama because when he is in office (soon), he will be my president and I have always supported those in office because I know that is God’s desire of me.

I bring up Huckabee because he is doing a new show on Fox on Sunday night called, “Huckabee”. I found it fascinating in the format of interviews with Kelsey Grammar ( a Republican – who knew?) and other celebrities, (not all political) and a firm support of our nation, our troops, our president and support for the Republican party.

I don’t bring this up for a political view. I have never asked members of a congregation to vote on any issue or for any candidate, but simply to vote because it is our God given freedom to do so. I do bring this up because after all the tiresome negative campaigns from both sides, it was a refreshingly positive approach to present some politics.

I do try to listen to both sides of the isle as much as possible. In fact I probably would have never known about Huckabee if it hadn’t been for former Iowa Governor T. Vilsack (D) who made some very positive comments about his colleague Governor Huckabee a few years ago.

I don’t know if this will be a re-entry into the 2012 campaign for Huckabee or simply a new career path for him. I do know that it is always our duty to be informed about our nation, it history, present and future paths. I know that we need to stand firm in our convictions of beliefs. And I believe God is not partial to politics, but is always concerned for the citizens of every nation, tongue and tribe. We have been failed by presidents, because they are human, but we have never been failed by God. “In God We Trust” reminds of us many of our nation’s strengths and weaknesses, but always the place where we ultimately find victory, security, assurance and peace.

Yesterday I encouraged the church to “Leave No Sheep Behind” according to the parable of Jesus in Luke 15 about the lost sheep and going after the one and leaving the 99 behind. I asked for a 99 + 1 Initiative of being the first to greet someone, first to smile, first to serve, first to forgive and whatever first they could come up with. It makes people curious what you are up to when there is this positive attention that they are not usually getting. They might then ask about the attention and then you can offer them your faith story and talk about Jesus. People always appreciate the gentle approach rather than the Bible over the head approach.

My witness for the next several weeks will be the green car that comes through the intersection where I am a crossing guard. I have one lady (black convertable – previous blog) who has waved vigorously since day one at my post. I have another lady (jeep with Bronco’s tire cover) who just recently has started to wave when passing through. The green car has a lady who seems a little grumpy. We have never waved at each other. So today I did my first 99 + 1 Initiative and waved at the lady in the green car. At first I got a quizzical stare and then maybe a slight break in the mouth. I wouldn’t call it a smile, but it seemed to break some ice. I didn’t get a wave back from her. But I did get her attention and we will see what the rest of the week brings.

I did talk with a dad who walks his girls everyday. We have made small talk for months, but today again part of the initiative, I asked some questions about some community involvement. He even came back and talked to me after he dropped the girls off at school. Being friendly really does pay off.

So I encourage everyone to Leave No Sheep Behind and begin your own initiative to be the first to greet and smile and care and love and whatever would be a healthy, Christian first for you and your sheep that your want to bring into the fold.