Hearts Desire by John Monday

Christmas Eve, 1971. The boy was six years old and up much too late. But honestly, what child in his right mind can will himself to sleep when Santa is due? Of course, Mom and Dad wanted him to go to bed, as did his older brother and sister. They had other Christmas obligations as yet unfulfilled. But all he had to do was go to bed.

He knew it was a thin edge, but he’d make it to bed before the jolly old Elf arrived, and if he played his cards right, he might even catch a glimpse – or at least hear him. It was 10:00 pm, and the schedule was clear: Santa comes at midnight. How exactly that important fact came to be known he wasn’t sure, but it was a fact nonetheless.

His sister heard it first, and he thought she was just pulling his leg, but then Mom heard it too. Everyone got very quite and, low and behold, there it was – the sound of sleigh bells. It was high overhead and barely audible, but it was there. SANTA WAS EARLY!

He must be in some kind of circling pattern, perhaps heading to Bermuda then back to Florida. Surely there was still time! Anxiety was building, but the plan was sound, so the boy stuck to it. Then Santa landed! Right outside the house! There was no mistaking the banging and clanging. And as if that weren't proof enough, Dad came flying into the house. He had seen him land! Santa was on his way in!

The gig was up; it looked like all was lost. The boy ran to bed as fast as he could. He didn’t peek, or open the door, or even brush his teeth; he just went to bed. This was much too close a call.

Had he not known that Santa was coming that night, he might have missed it. The sleigh bells could have been mistaken for a distant train. He could have imagined the reindeer landing to be a ladder clanging, or rocks on the roof. But he believed, and it was that belief that gave clarity to the evidence. Not only did he believe . . . he wanted it. As much as a six-year-old can want anything, he wanted Santa.

In the following years, the boy thought he heard Santa a few more times, but never again was the encounter quite so close.

I’ve learned something about the value of “want,” and its effect on faith. We see what we want to see and believe what we want to believe. While some may think this is cynical evidence that the objects of our faith are mere fantasy conjured up in juvenile minds, it’s just the opposite.

The fact that we want love, acceptance, joy, meaning, and forgiveness is powerful proof that fulfillment of these desires exists. The want for these good things is evidence that either there is satisfaction for our deepest desires, or life is a chaotic, meaningless accident. What a cruel and senseless creator; what a cruel and senseless creation – if we’ve been imbued at our deepest level with a desire that cannot be satisfied.

Deep in the heart of every person is a desire – a want – for the good and pure and true. Those desires of our heart are placed there by God that they might drive us to seek Him. For a six-year-old, that want might be personified in a kind and strong man that brings toys and happiness, but there is a deeper answer – a true satisfaction.

God created us to love and to be loved. He loves us so much that he granted us the freedom to turn from him, and we did – every single one of us. But his love was so boundless that, despite our faults, flaws, and self-centered depravity, He reached across eternity to rebuild what we destroyed, to touch that deep desire in us that is a broken reflection of his image. In his wisdom, He didn’t do it through punishment and retribution. He did it through a baby. He became one of us that he might be one with us. He suffered our pain and endured our punishment that we might be eternally restored to him in love, acceptance, joy, meaning, and forgiveness.

There are a thousand good reasons to believe in this God we call Jesus, but today I am focused on this one: There’s no other story that I so desperately want to be true. Of all the myths, stories, and religions, there’s no other that resonates so completely within my soul.

During this Christmas season, I hope you’ll take time to consider this Jesus, this Immanuel, this God with us. Is he the one your heart has been seeking?

John Monday

Extending Christmas by Andy McDonald

What is it that anchors us to the joy and good feelings of Christmas? Okay, I know that for some there is no such anchoring, but for most of us it is the “Hap—happiest season of all!” This year as I’ve been looking at Christmas from a little different angle, it has caused me to wonder what the emotional ties are to this holiday.

Of course, as the pastor, I’m supposed to say Jesus is the reason for the season—and few would argue with that proposition. But whether we recognize it or not, I think the secret to the spirit of Christmas is the simple exercise of giving. For the few weeks surrounding Christmas millions of people are planning and creating and sneaking and wrapping and hiding and finally presenting gifts to people they love.

I can more easily remember gifts given over those received. Receiving a gift is nice and fun – sometimes down right amazing. But Christmas giving is a reminder, one with concrete evidence, that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Just think about a gift you gave. You planned. You thought. Then you carefully acquired, wrapped secretly, and then slipped the gift under the tree. The giver’s anticipation of Christmas morning trumps the hopes of the recipients.

I remember some Christmas mornings when one of our children would be so excited to have us, as parents, open what they were giving. They would be so caught up in their gift-giving that we had to go ahead and open their present to us so we could continue opening gifts.

There is a joy unspeakable and full of glory when we give, and Christmas brings this all to life once a year. So what if we kept it going? What if every day, each week, at least once a month we intentionally thought of someone and gave them a gift? It might be some physical object we make or purchase, or it might be the conscious gift of friendship, a smile, an invitation for lunch, a word of encouragement, or introduction to a new friend. Maybe, just maybe, we could extend the spirit of Christmas to the other 364 days this year just by continuing to give. After all, why stop all those blessings that fill the air at Christmas when we could cash in 24/7 on the reality that it is more blessed to give than to receive? And maybe the spirit of Christmas will follow us through the whole year.

Andy McDonald

Christmas Stories by Richard Hickam

Pastor Andy’s current sermon series is on Christmas stories. I have a Christmas legend that came by way of one of my favorite authors, William Barclay. The story goes like this:

When Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus were on their way to Egypt, as evening came they were weary and sought refuge in a cave. It was very cold – so cold that the ground was white with hoar frost. A little spider saw the little baby Jesus, and he wished so much that he could do something to keep him warm in the cold night. He decided to do the only thing he could – spin his web across the entrance of the cave to make, as it were, a curtain there.

Along the path came a detachment of Herod’s solders, seeking for children to kill to carry out Herod’s bloodthirsty order. When they came to the cave, they were about to burst in to search it, but their captain noticed the spider’s web covered with the white hoar frost and stretched right across the entrance to the cave. “Look,” he said, “at the spider’s web there. It is quite unbroken, and there cannot possibly be anyone in the cave, for anyone entering would certainly have torn the web.”

So the soldiers passed on and left the holy family in peace because a little spider had spun his web across the entrance to the cave. And that, so they say, is why to this day we put tinsel on our Christmas trees. The glittering tinsel streamers stand for the spider’s web, white with hoar frost, stretched across the entrance of the cave on the way to Egypt. It is a lovely story, and this much, at least, is true – no gift which Jesus receives is ever forgotten.

As you are in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, what gift to do you have for Jesus? A thoughtful gift for Him this season will not be forgotten.

Richard Hickam

Angel Tree by Shae Beery

When I was a child, my family fully embraced the traditions of Christmas. We decorated our home with the most cherished ornaments, lights, and bows. We handmade or purchased gifts with much thought about the receiver. We made plans to go to Grandma’s house for Christmas Eve, and my mother allowed us kids to be a part of the month-long baking of cookies, cakes, and holiday pies. Our home functioned much like every other home in our neighborhood. However, with all that holiday excitement occurring in our house, there was one tradition I looked forward to above all the other activities, and that favorite activity was the day my mother would take me to select a child off of the Salvation Army Angel Tree.

I always selected a girl who was most like myself. Then, with a budget clearly spelled out (Yes, I understood the parameters of a budget at 8 years old and I was a thrifty shopper even then!), my mother and I would purchase one toy, one stuffed animal, one outfit, hygiene products, a bag of candy, and a box of candy canes! I loved rushing home and watching my mom carefully wrap each individual gift with colorful paper and Christmas bows. But before we would seal up the box, I would go to my drawer and pull out my most favorite pair of pajamas. I would select the pair that was most like new, and I would wrap them up myself. My mother told me that I should give something of my own to this child and not just buy everything. And so, every year I would carefully select the perfect pair of pajamas and include them in the box. And I loved it. Of course, later in the week I would forget that my beloved PJ’s were given away and riffle through my clothes for a second in search of something to wear. But then a smile would come to my face as I realized where they had gone.

I haven’t selected a child off of the Salvation Army Angel Tree for many years now, but I’m thankful my mother began this tradition of giving that has lasted my whole life. As I’ve gotten older, the opportunity to give has taken on various forms: visiting nursing home residents, assisting in children’s classes at church, getting involved with groups that help to clean up the devastation of a natural disaster, and even traveling to other countries to build schools, help orphaned children, and give medical attention to those in need.

These experiences have taught me many things, but the greatest one is this: The spirit of giving doesn’t have to be confined to the Christmas season. Additionally, blessings are not only reserved for the receiver but are also poured out to the giver. Don’t be afraid to give of yourself this Christmas and throughout the year—there is no shortage of blessings to be given . . . or received.

Shae Beery

FHC Member and Guest Blogger

Deciphering Truth and Lies by Tami Cinquemani

I love family traditions. I think one of the reasons this is my favorite time of year is because the holidays are steeped in tradition. Each family will enjoy their own special version of holiday rituals that will bond its members and celebrate the season. My family enjoys its own unique traditions – things like the family football game after Thanksgiving dinner, celebrating “Mikulas” by opening Christmas stockings on December 6, candlelight communion on Christmas Eve, and late nights playing “Mafia.”

For those unfamiliar with the game, “Mafia” begins when each player secretly selects a playing card from the Moderator. The card chosen identifies whether you are a mafia member, police officer, doctor, or townsperson. The game proceeds as the mafia members try to hide their identity by “knocking off” the other players, and the other players try to save their town by seeking out the truth and discovering whom they can trust. There are accusations, presumptions, pleadings, and debate –lively discussions and enthusiastic arguments. There is triumph when perpetrators are caught, and shocked bewilderment when trusted family members are found to be lying and deceitful gangsters. Nice family game, huh? Okay, so maybe you have to be Italian to appreciate the fun.

I was talking with my son-in-law the other day, and we were discussing the book of Hebrews. Though the authorship of this book of the Bible is debated, one thing is clear – whoever wrote the book was intent on people knowing the identity of Jesus. The letter was written to a group of first century Jews at the beginning of the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. This group most likely consisted of both believers and seekers of the Christian faith.

The Hebrews were in danger, and insecurity and fear can lead to bad decisions. They were beginning to doubt the truth that would save their lives. There were those who sought to deceive, trying their best to convince the new believers that their trust should be put in things that would only lead to death. When persecution began and hardship prevailed, things they knew were not true seemed reasonable and became very enticing. Hebrews was written as a witness to the truth that the only hope, the only possibility of security, and the only path to salvation is in Jesus.

Is this any different than what we confront today? Even during a season when we are surrounded by the startling and astounding truth that God sent his Son to save our world, we so easily get distracted. There are many deceiving messages to sort through: God can’t be trusted; We have to save ourselves; I’m too sinful to save. The list is long. The lie is clear: Jesus isn’t enough.

The message in Hebrews is as relevant to us today as it was to the Jews of the first century:

“We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help. Hebrews 4:14-16 (CEV)

The truth is clear. Jesus’ identity is revealed, and He not only saves the town . . but the whole world.

Tami Cinquemani

Changes in the Air by Greg Creek

In the last few months of living in Florida, I’ve had opportunities to venture outside the state. At some point during my trips away, I stop, notice the foliage, and think, “Oh yea, it’s Fall.” Living in Orlando, I don’t get to experience the seasons like I have grown accustomed to in different parts of the country. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ll be welcoming Christmas in a pair of shorts . . . which is just weird.

When living in a less tropical area, the first clue that Fall is upon me is usually the changing colors in the trees. Then I get confirmation of the season’s change by a blast of cold air when stepping outside. Trees that are always green and weather that is warm all the time has me thinking that nothing is really changing.

I was talking with a friend of mine a few weeks ago, and he was explaining to me the different growing seasons for fruits and vegetables in Florida. Until that point, I just assumed you could grow just about anything at any time in a tropical climate. That conversation made me realize that, despite what I thought, there were changes happening around me. Even though I was still walking around in shorts, it was cooler now than it was a few months ago.

The truth is, change is always happening, but I’m not always noticing. When I broaden that idea from the seasons to my life, it makes me wonder how much I’m missing around me because I’m not taking the time to notice. There’s an old saying that encourages us to “stop and smell the roses.” It makes me wonder if there are other important things happening around me that I may be missing because I’m too caught up in what I expect to see. Perhaps I need to stop and notice the foliage, even if its shades are more subtle and nuanced.

Greg Creek

Christ's Low Standards by John Monday

Occasionally things happen that cause us to reevaluate, or perhaps just more deeply consider, what we or the organizations we are associated with stand for. Just such an event has recently captured my attention and created no small amount of conversation around the subject of the doctrines that we hold dear. It’s not a new conversation, but it has received renewed vigor as of late and raised the question, “What can or should a church require of its members?”

Churches exist. This might seem a simplistic place to start, but it really is fundamental to the conversation. As organizations, churches, associations of churches, denominations, and many other religious organizations exist and have the right to define themselves. This right certainly isn’t restricted to religious institutions. If you want to join the Rotary, the PTA, or become a board certified lawyer or surgeon, you will be expected to meet the minimum standards of that organization.

Likewise, churches define what membership in their organizations means and what is required for entrance. The requirements vary widely but seem to have a common point of contact. Almost invariably, churches have some body of doctrine that must be intellectually acceded to in some public forum before a person can be accepted into membership. This in itself is not a bad thing. I believe that Christ himself established this pattern.

Good churches that desire to honor Christ and protect his people believe this and strive to understand what a “good” christian should be. As a result, churches codify expanding lists of doctrine that the potential member needs to understand and accept. Elders and theologians gain some new insight, and a few decades later it’s a required belief for all members. The administrators and gatekeepers of the organization observe a weakness or abuse, and another “fundamental” teaching is defined and codified. The church organization becomes involved in preserving and protecting the institution of the church with ever-enlarging circles of protective doctrines. And that’s our right.

In fact, our government protects and defends that right. The problem is that, while we have every legal right to define the human institution known as the church, that organization is not Christ’s Church. Christ’s Church is the body of Christ that has Christ as its head and every believer in Christ as a part of the body, and we have no heavenly right to exercise our legal rights in Christ’s Church.

Christ has defined what it means to be a part of his Church and has defined a criteria for entrance. On our best days we try to organize our human churches to honor the standards that Christ established; some days we do better than others. But when we claim the right to define what is required, we move into extraordinarily dangerous waters. And when our requirements for entrance exceed Christ’s we move from danger to peril and quickly arrive at the place where our church organizations can no longer claim part in Christ’s Church.

We must understand that there is a standard; in fact, there is a double standard. God’s requirements for entrance into his kingdom are so high and exacting, and we are so flawed and depraved, that we have no hope of ever crossing the bar. We do, however, have an advocate in Christ. He has cleared the hurdle and removed it. Having accomplished the work of the law and completed the work of salvation, he has reset the bar and this is it . . .

Believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

and receive eternal life.

All those who believe in Christ and receive his free gift of eternal life are brothers and sisters in Christ’s Church and, by God’s grace, I want them to be accepted in my church.

May our church organizations and denominations always remember that we’re not here to preserve and purify the church. We’re here to walk with people and to love them into a life-long friendship with God.

Amen

John Monday

He's Watchin' You by Chad Hess

My two-year-old son has a stuffed frog that he loves. When I get him up in the morning, he brings it with him as comfort as he wakes up. A month or two ago when I sat him down for breakfast, he didn't want to let go of Froggy. So I put Froggy on the table next to him. He looked at Froggy with a grin and said, "Froggy's watchin' you.” Since then, we have done it every morning, and he loves it. The thought of his Froggy watching him gives him great delight and pleasure; it's comforting to him.

I find this an interesting juxtaposition to the way we typically react to the idea of God watching us. When I hear people say, "God is watching you," it is usually done in the context of judgment and "Be careful what you do or say." But it doesn't have to be this way. If we have a loving and committed relationship with God, we should be happy that God is watching us because it means God is with us. It means that he is watching over and protecting us. He is not a God of whom we have to be afraid. He is a God who loves us and wants to spend time with us. So I can be happy that God is with me – and I am comforted that he is watching over me.

Chad Hess

Music and Change in the Christian Church by Richard Hickam

Change has always been a problem in the religious community. For centuries, theological differences have splintered Christians into camps that have become Catholics and Protestants, new denominations, and even sub-groups within denominations.

In 1611 as the King James Bible was about to be published, Dr. Hugh Broughton, a seventeenth-century British scholar in Greek and Hebrew, wrote the following review: “[The Authorized Version] was sent to me to censure: which bred in me a sadness which will grieve me while I breath, it is so ill done. Tell his Majesty that I would rather be rent in pieces by wild horses, then that any such translation by my consent would be urged upon the poor churches . . . .The cockles of the seashores, and the leaves of the forest, and the grains of the poppy may as well be numbered as the gross errors of this Bible.”

The King James Version . . . really? I thought that was the supreme sacred version?

Music within the church is no exception to this problem and has been a difficult subject for worshippers and worship leaders. Consider how German churches in the time of Johann Sebastian Bach reacted when new instruments were introduced in their worship services. Here, the incident happened within the sphere of classical music in a church setting: “When in a large town [Bach’s] Passion Music was done for the first time, with 12 violins, many oboes, bassoons, and other instruments, many people were astonished and did not know what to make of it. In the pew of a noble family in church, many Ministers and Noble Ladies were present, who sang the first Passion Chorale out of their books with great devotion. But when this theatrical music began, all these people were thrown into the greatest bewilderment, looked at each other and said: ‘God save us, my children! It’s just as if one were at an Opera Comedy.’ But everyone was genuinely displeased by it and voiced just complaints against it.”

Upset about J.S. Bach in church? Really? Wow!

One last story: A nineteenth-century Protestant Church was considering acquiring an organ for the worship services. At that time, most churches did not accept the use of instruments in worship. Even organs were not allowed since they were commonly used in theaters for entertainment. But one progressive church went against the established tradition: “Though the demand for better music was becoming increasingly insistent, the non-Episcopal Churches were very reluctant to admit organs. An English gentleman made an offer of 500 pounds to the first ‘dissenting’ church that would venture on the innovation . . . Finally the Brattle Street Church surrendered to the inevitable and decided to have an organ, but even after the order had been sent to England and the instrument was on its way, the congregation was torn with bitter strife. One wealthy member besought with tears that the house of God be not desecrated, promising to refund the entire cost of the organ if the evil thing might be thrown to the bottom of Boston Harbor. But gradually opposition subsided.”

Opposition to organs in church!?! The humanity!

The examples presented here illustrate the concept that, at one time, everything is new, then it becomes tradition, then it becomes old. The guiding force presented in the New Testament should be our litmus test when it comes to such things. The examples and theme here is taken directly from Lilianne Doukhan’s book “In Tune with God.” I would close with her illustration of a passage from Romans where she substitutes music-related terms for some of Paul’s expressions:

“One man’s faith allows him to [listen to] everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, [listens only to a particular style]. The man who [listens to] everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not [listen to] everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” (Romans 14:2-4).

Richard Hickam

A Great Epitaph by Andy McDonald

It may not be something you spend much time pondering, but when your loved ones are trying to decide what epitaph should be inscribed on your grave marker, what would you suggest?

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working with families as they plan for funerals and burials. The whole process, no matter how honest and fair the funeral director, always leaves me with the same sort of feeling that I have after buying a car - maybe pleased, but always wondering just how much better I should have done in my dealings.

Part of the grave marker selection process is the opportunity to cast in bronze or carve in granite an appropriate epitaph, which the dictionary defines as: “an inscription in memory of the dead person.” Cemetery sales people make suggestions, which may work well for some families, but not for ours.

When my Dad was dying, he actually picked out his own epitaph! On his grave marker it says, “Napping till the resurrection.” That was what he wanted, and we made sure it was what he received. He was confident in his belief that death was like a sleep, and he was confident that, because of Jesus, he will one day rise on the resurrection day. Dad enjoyed a good nap, and the concept of thinking of death as napping until the resurrection brought him comfort as he faced death.

I don’t ever remember having any conversations with my father-in-law about grave stone epitaphs. So when my mother-in-law and I met with the cemetery representative, we weren’t really prepared when we were asked what the epitaph should say. All the “helpful” suggestions from the cemetery personnel weren’t that helpful.

Then, in a moment of genius, my mother-in-law suggested just three words. When I heard her, I laughed and agreed it was the perfect answer. He was a great man, a good father, and a loving husband, but giving him all the honors due him doesn’t honor him as well as the epitaph. Any other accolade would only champion a single side or individual trait that marked his life. How could we capture, in just three of four words, his lifelong journey? He had jumped into some youthful rebellion, spent time in the armed services, worked for some good and bad bosses, finally developed his own business, and did well for himself. Life transitioned him from stubborn to determined, from competitive to cooperative, from controlling to relaxed, and from demanding to accepting.

So on his marker you’ll find this three-word epitaph: “Improved with age.” What a compliment. While his health deteriorated, and his freedoms became restricted, and his ability to control disappeared, it is such a compliment to note how he faced all that life brought his way, and he “Improved with age.”

So what about you? Improving with age? And at the risk of being accused of being morbid—What would you choose as your epitaph?

Andy McDonald

Rediscovering the High Road by Tami Cinquemani

I have friends who are of a variety of faiths or no faith at all. I have friends who are sold out to their political party – to the Right, the Left, and those in between – as well as friends who want nothing to do with politics. I have friends who have been hurt by prejudice and racism and others who struggle with judging others based on their culture, gender, or ethnicity. I have friends who are pet lovers and others who find life much happier without a feathered or furry friend. I have friends who are married and others who are single – either by divorce or loss of a spouse. I have friends who are straight and others who are gay. I have friends who have had children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren and others who have decided not to have children at all.

I am both blessed and challenged by these relationships. They force me to think outside of the box and understand that I live in a world where there is beauty in variety and richness in knowing others unlike myself. There is a kaleidoscope of people whom I appreciate, welcome, and admire – people with whom I enjoy sharing life and its diversity.

Facebook has become a wonderful “place” to gather with all of my friends in one place. It is because of this reality that I sometimes find deep frustration when viewing what fellow Christians post on Facebook.

As Christians, we profess a desire to follow Jesus – the epitome of grace and mercy. We treasure scriptures filled with direction to “Love your neighbor as yourself . . . Honor one another above yourselves . . . Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” These are faithful and regular church attenders who post comments, cartoons, and essays without any concern given to those who may be wounded. It’s not a respectful and thoughtful exchange – it is an aggressive and careless offering without regard for someone struggling with and finding identity with the very issues they flippantly malign.

Politics, sexuality, race, religion . . . the list goes on. I personally believe these topics can and should be discussed in a positive and respectful manner – even when there is a difference of opinion. This is where learning, understanding, and tolerance take place. However, most of what I see has no resemblance to honest and respectful thought. It is generally a cheap shot taken to smack someone down.

I know the standard response: “Can’t you take a joke?” “Come on, lighten up.” “If you don’t like it, just don’t read it.” Really?

Or there’s another attempt at justification: righteous discipline. After all, Jesus didn’t tread gently when clearing the temple. Well, here’s the thing: (1) We’re not Jesus, and (2) Jesus’ anger was directed at those who were misrepresenting who He is to those who needed Him.

It is so easy to throw stones and cast judgment from our computers. I wonder if these same comments would be made face-to-face, or if personal contact might cause pause before those hurtful words and thoughts are flung. I would like to think the eagerness to “share wisdom,” by offering scorching opinion and making snap judgments might be stalled when it is seen first-hand how they cut and hurt.

At the 2009 Willowcreek Leadership Summit, Gary Hamel stated that “Church has become a weekly convocation for the converted and the content.” How sad . . . and how true. If what we are hearing and experiencing at church does not challenge us and demand that we behave differently when we leave, why do we bother attending? If we put on a “Jesus face” and shake hands with our fellow believers then turn around and behave with unconcerned ugliness to our world, we are defaming and defacing the name of the God we claim to serve.

I believe our world is richer because of the variety of thought and opinion found on this journey of life. My hope is that, as we make the trip, those who profess Christianity rediscover their directions to the “high road.”

Tami Cinquemani

Our Gut Response by Chad Hess

A few months ago, I was leaving work and heading home. I picked up my phone to call my wife as I usually do. However, when I grabbed my phone, I discovered that it wasn't working. I had been having some problems with it, and now it was completely dead. For a geek like me, a dead cell phone is a big deal. I started thinking of every possible way of contacting my wife, and after about five minutes, I had come up with a complicated plan of using a computer to text her. As I was walking back into the office, it occurred to me that I could simply use the land-line phone in the office to call her. Such a simple and obvious solution; yet it took me five minutes to think of it. I realized that the reason I didn't think of such an obvious solution sooner is that I wasn't used to using a land-line phone to call her.

Our gut response to a problem is formed by the habits we make. When something happens, we turn to what has worked for us in the past. When it comes to communication, my cell phone and computer are my gut response (when a face-to-face conversation isn't possible). When it comes to my spiritual life, prayer should be my gut response, but I have to admit that it isn't always. This is probably because I don't pray as much as I should. But this experience taught me that my first response isn't always the best response. Prayer should be our first response in every situation. When we are used to praying to God about little things, it will be more instinctual to pray when bigger things happen. Prayer is the best response – in little situations and in big ones. I plan to make a habit of it.

Chad Hess

Frustrated By God by John Monday

He’s a little frustrated with God – a new experience, at least in his conscious mind, although it’s probably been a growing reality for a while.

As a Christian, getting frustrated or, heaven forbid, angry with God is really not acceptable. Any hint of it should be quickly met with repentance, and self-flagellation or maybe just the easier route, denial. You see, He has a problem; it doesn’t matter what it is, but it’s real and poignant, and the outcome is uncertain. Dealing with it is like swimming in mud, and God isn’t fixing it!

A moment of honest prayer went something like this, “ If you’re the God who made everything and cares about all of us, then you’ve got to fix this.” Make no mistake; this wasn’t so much a prayer of surrender as of frustration. Then, out of the blue, when he wasn’t asking or listening, he became aware of God. While “prayerfully” wallowing in his problems, God said something like, “You want Me to work on the things that are important to you, but who’s praying for the things that are important to Me?”

He was ashamed as a litany of the people, places, organizations, programs, and initiatives that are in desperate need paraded through his mind. Things that are in need of time, attention, money, love, prayer. He felt small. Not because he was unimportant to God, but because he’d become way too important to himself. He was reminded that God has an agenda (Jeremiah 29:11), and it’s not our agenda (Isaiah 55:8-9).

So the question we all must ask is, What kind of a God do we want? Do we want a god in a bottle who pops out on demand, does our bidding, then conveniently returns to his bottle until needed again? Or do we want a God who made plans for us before the foundations of the world? Do we want a god who will bless our plans? Or a God who graciously allows us to participate in His? In short, do we want God or an idol?

Truth be told, many of us just want a genie, a god who will hear our problems, listen to our solutions, and implement them. But there’s a better way, and I want to want it.

However, as we move toward Gods’ agenda and away from ours, there’s another learning; As long as we keep frustrations to ourselves, deny our depravity, and put on a false face before God, idolatry will continue like a festering sore. But we need not live in a state of denial or self-flagellation – nor hide our anger, frustration, disappointment, impatience, self-importance, and arrogance. As we approach God honestly and give our garbage to him, he will take it and do with it as he sees fit. We can bring our crud to God. Because . . .

”We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn’t sin. So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time.” Hebrews 4:15-16 (GOD’S WORD Translation)

This God we profess is not a magical servant or a cruel master. He is our loving Father, Redeemer, and Savior. When we get that, it changes everything.

John Monday

Clearing the Stuff by Greg Creek

I love stuff. With hobbies in music, electronics, and all-around tinkering, I have amassed a lot of stuff that is interesting, useful, neat-looking, or just cool for whatever reason.

I have recently determined that I hate moving, having lived in three houses in three months. As we went about packing up our house the first time, I started looking at everything with one question in mind: “Will I really miss that if I get rid of it?” I had grown quite weary of packing, and these feelings were only during the first move. Little did I know another move was on the horizon!

During the first move we got rid of lots of stuff--clothes, electronics, and randomness. During the second move we got rid of more clothes, more electronics and, even musical instruments (which was not an easy thing for me to do).

What I realized was how quickly stuff can just pile up. But not just any stuff – stuff that we never used, stuff that we didn’t need, stuff that just got in the way. After several moves I thought it strange how much stuff I was lugging around that I didn’t need. It took longer to move, cost more to move, and made it more tiring to move.

In the midst of the second move, I saw a friend whom I had not seen for some time. Using the word “friend” is probably a bit of stretch. I had some deep resentment toward this person though I was really the one at fault. For the last 12 months or so I had been impressed that there needed to be reconciliation, and in the midst of the second move, God worked out a meeting. After meeting and talking with this person, my mind still overrun with thoughts of the second move, I realized that I had been carrying the “stuff” from this relationship with me.

As much as I hate to admit it, getting ridding of the clothes, electronics, and yes, even the instruments, was somewhat of a relief and felt good to purge. However, that relief was nothing compared to the relief I felt with the reconciliation that I encountered with my friend.

I’d be willing to assume that we all have some extra stuff in our lives, whether it’s the physical stuff that fills our storage closets and garages, or whether it’s the stuff of emotional baggage, grudges, and the like. Start your spring-cleaning early this year, and purge all the stuff . . . it feels great.

Greg Creek

Some to Nineveh, Some to Fiji by Richard Hickam

I must admit, I was quite embarrassed to lead a youth group on a mission trip at the ripe age of 41 and have it be my first mission trip. I had been impressed over the last several years, after taking my performance groups to various educational (Washington, D.C.), exceptional (Carnegie Hall), and downright fun (Walt Disney World) venues, that there was something more that I should be doing. It’s not that any of the other stuff is bad…I believe in a well-balanced diet and lifestyle, but I did feel like something was missing in my Christian experience.

After arrangements were made and I discovered we would be heading to the South Pacific and the Fiji Islands, the excitement started to build. My mantra became “some are called to Nineveh, and some are called to Fiji!

The trip changed me in many ways; as a matter of fact, I don’t think I would have accepted a call into music ministry full time at the Florida Hospital Church if I hadn’t had this mission experience. The call from Andy McDonald came immediately after this trip, and I know I wouldn’t have taken it if I hadn’t seen God opening special doors once I decided to go “all the way” with Him.

Anyway, I love “Top 10” lists, so I made this “First Time” list of the things I did on this mission trip at the age of 41 to let people know , when you walk through a door that God has opened for you, your life of excitement is only beginning!

My List of Firsts on the Fiji Mission Trip 2011

First mission trip

First time taking a group out of the country (an adventure on many levels)

First time to the South Pacific

First time to be away from electronic devices and air conditioning for a substantial period of time

First time to understand for what a handkerchief is used

First time to be eaten alive by mosquitoes

First time snorkeling

First time parasailing

First time to lead a paint crew

First time driving on the wrong side of the road!!!

First time to see how badly people wanted to get to America

First time in a native village

First time to receive a Whale’s tooth!

First time to pull a tooth (three, thanks to Dr. Joe Milholm!)

First sermon preached

First sermon preached using an interpreter

First time to play a concert in a prison (outside, in the Fijian tropical sun)

First time to lead the Hallelujah Chorus with orchestra and chorus in a prison concert and understand what it really means to live the gospel as in Matthew 25:36

First time I have depended on God so much and seen Him in such a clear and vivid way!

As our church begins a new adventure partnering with Small Steps for Compassion (Tanzania, Africa), I would challenge you to join this mission project, and get ready for God to use you - wherever you are in your journey - in new and powerful ways!

Richard Hickam

Our ADHD World by Andy McDonald

When we stop changing, we are dead! Our bodies are constantly in a cycle of cell division and replacement. It’s interesting science: how rapidly each type of cell replenishes and the rare ones that don’t. Today we know the epidermis, or surface layer of the skin, is recycled every two weeks or so. The epithelial cells that line the surface of the gut are new every five days, while those in the main body of the gut appear to last 15.9 years prior to replacement. Our very bodies are constantly changing.

Today there is growing evidence that we are experiencing changes in the way our brains function. Research at such places as the Child Health Institute at the University of Washington in Seattle has demonstrated that our increased time in front of active screens (TV, video games, computer, blackberry, ipad, iphone, etc.) are changing the way our brains function. The age-old ability to pick up on nuance and simple human facial expressions seems to be decreasing, and our insatiable need to “get things done” drives us to attempt increased multi-tasking, which seems to be disabling us from a healthy ability to concentrate. In addition, the constant stimulation from these outside sources creates a sense of boredom when the stimulation stops.

There may have never been a more critical time in human history for us to hear and practice, “Be still and know that I AM God.”

I’m guilty. There is much more to accomplish for the optimum health of the branch of the Body of Christ called Hospital Church than I can get done! So I end up multi-tasking. I listen to a lecture while I check my emails or clean up my office. I never drive without using that time to make a call. Even in preparation for a sermon I find myself flitting between reading a book and searching the Internet for facts, figures, or illustrations.

To seek sanity, I have reverted to my “First Thirty” rule. Most days, before I engage in anything else, I make time to just be still. It isn’t easy. I want to make a list, plan my day, and jump to doing – and doing is important. But I’ve found that, without those “First Thirty” minutes, I tend to forget the truth that “It is not by my might or my power” - or by clever technology, or faster processing, or multi-tasking - that God’s work is accomplished in me and in His world. It is by His Spirit that His work is done. (Zechariah 4:6)

I guarantee that today things will change, and probably at a higher speed than yesterday. When we stop changing, we are dead. But in order to manage all that comes to us in our 21^st century world, maybe the wisest way to start our day is to be still and, in that stillness, come to know the God whose character is so perfect as to be changeless. I believe that in our connection to and in our knowing God ,we can better manage our ADHD world and embrace the inevitable change.

So take a mini-Sabbath every morning (or if you’re a night owl, every night), and turn off the TV, put the computer to sleep, silence your phone, lay your ipad face down and stop—be still, and let God remind you that only He is infinite, He is God, and it’s okay for us to be finite.

Here’s my First Thirty plan:

• Find a comfortable place to sit, and use the same place whenever possible.

• 5 minutes just being quiet before God - letting go of worry and concentrating on listening.

• 10 minutes of prayer, writing out your thoughts in prayer to God

• 10 minutes of reading a devotional work or the Bible. (The object isn’t to see how much you can get read but how much of what you read gets in you!)

• 5 minutes memorizing the Bible.

Or just being still and listen for all 30 minutes!

Make your own plan of how you will carve out some “Be Still” time.

Andy McDonald

How Will They Know? by Tami Cinquemani

“And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

I remember singing this song when I first became a Christian back in the Eighties. John 13:35 states, “This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Is this true today?

My husband, Jeff, and I were driving to church a couple of weeks ago, and as we drove down the street of the church, we saw an elderly woman standing in the road waving her arms. We pulled up to her and asked what the problem was.

“I’m 93 years old, and I’ve locked myself out of my house,” was her response. We pulled into the driveway and, while Jeff worked on jimmying open a window, I chatted with the woman. In a matter of minutes, he had climbed into the house and opened the front door. The dear lady was delighted

“You’re Seventh-day Adventist, aren’t you?” she asked. “Do you know how I know that?”

I would have liked nothing better than to hear her say, “Because you’re so helpful,” or “Because you cared about me,” or something along those lines. What she actually said was, “Because you’re so dressed up on a Saturday morning.”

I’m afraid this may be one of the only reasons many Christians are distinguished as such – because of their attire as they head to weekend services. Unfortunately, that may be one of the more positive things associated with Christians lately. Personally, that frustrates me. However, it can be an understandable designation when our behavior is not always consistent with our message.

I just wonder if things would be different if Christians were completely filled to overflowing with the love of Jesus. If we started each morning, spent each day, and ended each evening with a conscious decision to allow Jesus to fill our hearts and minds, for what would we be known? If we treated each person we met as a fellow child of God – regardless of their status in this world, would people see a clearer resemblance to our Heavenly Father? If our first reaction was to love and serve rather than to judge and label, would the way we dress even be noticed?

And they’ll know we are Christians . . . by our love.

Tami Cinquemani

A Work In Progress by Chad Hess

Several years ago I went through the difficult challenge of a divorce. One of the challenges I faced was accepting the reality that other people would know I wasn’t perfect. I always knew I wasn’t perfect; I just didn’t want other people to know. Through the help of my counselor, I came to accept the reality of my imperfection. This is not to say that I stopped trying to improve; I just accepted the reality that no one is perfect. The graphic on this blog is a picture of the incomplete puzzle I framed to remind me that it is okay to be a work in progress.

Why is it so hard for Christians to admit imperfection? I’m not talking about saying you are a sinner; I’m talking about admitting the specific sins you struggle with. Why is it so hard for a church to acknowledge and talk about problems that the church is facing? I’m not talking about glorifying the sin or cheapening grace; I’m talking about honesty and transparency. This doesn’t mean we should walk around with a t-shirt that lists our deepest, darkest secrets. Prudence is required in our disclosure.

A perfect church is only appealing to perfect people. But since neither of those exists, why do we pretend they do? When I was going through my divorce, I sought the help of others that I knew were divorced. I wanted someone who could understand what I was experiencing and help me through it. The lost and broken people in this world (you know, the ones the church is called to save) are going to be drawn to people who offer both empathy and hope. Christians who can say, “I know what you’re going through. I’ve been there and, while I’m not perfect, I’m also not where I used to be. Let me share with you how Jesus brought hope and healing to my life.”

Chad Hess

I Heard Jesus in a Key West Taco Bar by John Monday

A few weeks ago my family and I went to the Florida Keys for a few days of snorkeling, boating, and fun while reconnecting with old friends. On Saturday evening we drove an hour south to watch the Key West sunset, experience the spectacle that is Mallory Square, and wander Duval Street.

After seeing beautiful sail boats silhouetted against the sunset, human statues entertaining children, listening to banjos, guitars, and mandolins, watching cats and old men jump through hoops, and being mesmerized by didgeridoos (google it), we found ourselves in Amigo’s tortilla bar. That's when I heard Jesus.

It wasn’t a trance-inducing vision from heaven or a prophet decrying the decadence of an immoral society. It was a simple statement printed on the side of every plastic cup at Amigo’s: “Once you’ve ruined your reputation, you can live quite freely”.

It reconfirmed for me two things that I’ve come to believe. The first is that God can and will use any and all means to reach us; be it movies, music, or plastic cups. I’ve begun to rethink the entire notion of “secular” as it relates to me as a Christian. I believe that, no matter where I go, what I do or see, who I talk or listen to, God is already there. So if I hear truth in a Jimmy Buffett song, see beauty in a painting, or read prophetic words on a plastic cup in Key West, how can those things for me be secular? Christ is in me and will always be wherever I go; secular (separate from God) is not an option.

But that only deals with the way the message was delivered. The second thing that really awed me was the basic gospel message encapsulated in a restaurant slogan. I don’t know, but I doubt it was the intention of the owners to preach the gospel, just as I doubt it was Pilate’s plan to reveal truth when he nailed a sign over Christ’s head reading “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”. But the intended purpose does not negate the truth or Gods ability to use it. And were I trying to convey the gospel message, I may have phrased it a little differently, but as I think about it, no better.

Were I writing a biblical paraphrase, I might use such a saying to communicate the message of Ephesians 2: 4-10: “4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions … 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

or Isaiah 64:6:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

Or maybe I’d use it to express the sentiment of Romans 3:23-24:

“23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Everybody, but especially we Christians, need to understand that our efforts, or works, our good deeds and intentions are not very good, and if we strive to advance, preserve, or protect our “goodness,” our reputations will become a trap that will enslave and separate us from Christ, the Author of freedom.

So I wonder, did God inspire the words on that cup, or did he just orchestrate my travels so that I would see them? I don’t know, but I do believe that, realizing the ruined condition of my reputation, I can live quite freely in the grace of Christ.

John Monday