Do You Hear What I Hear by Richard Hickam

An annual Christmas favorite, this song has been famously recorded by the Harry Simeone Chorale, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, and Carrie Underwood . . . to name just a few.

From the whispering wind to people everywhere, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" asks several questions including: Do you see? Do you know? and Listen to what I say – all referencing the Christ child. What is less known about this song is that it was written as a peace effort by husband-and-wife team, Noel and Gloria Regney, in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis. Not necessarily what you would put together, is it?

I was recently reading Leonard Sweet's book, Nudge, and he had this to say about it:

Christianity is not about “Do you believe?” but “Do you hear?” Do you hear something different from what the world hears? Followers of Jesus hear something different . . . “Do you hear what I hear?” rings the Christmas carol. Evangelism is not getting people to believe this or that and they will be saved. Evangelism is getting people to hear it for themselves. Christianity is a nudge to the listener: “I’m hearing something amazing. Do you hear it? I hear a star … do you hear what I hear? I hear a song … do you hear what I hear? I hear a child … do you hear what I hear? I hear cries of goodness and light in midst of badness and gloom … do you hear what I hear? I hear a cross … do you hear what I hear?” One of the greatest compliments a nudger can ever receive is this: “I can hear the song/star/child/cross in your voice.”

So, in the coming weeks as you hear some artists’ rendition of "Do You Hear?" ask yourself, "What is it that those around me are hearing from me?"

Richard Hickam

The God Shot by Tami Cinquemani

Last week, Michaele Weissman, author of God in a Cup: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Coffee, was the guest on NPR’s Splendid Table program.  Michaele wrote her book as a result of research on the development of the coffee experience.  She spoke about her initial lack of coffee knowledge and the individuals she met that enlightened her world and introduced her to the “God shot” – the perfect blend of elements that lift coffee to a “spiritual experience.” 

Michaele spoke with several coffee growers and roasters and learned about Esmeralda, the holy grail of coffee.  This delicate floral Ethiopian coffee is highly treasured – at one time selling for $130/pound.  Interestingly, it has a season, and as mind-blowingly amazing as it is in its time, if harvested too early, results in disappointment.  I thought the interviewer’s final thought was quite interesting: “If we’re patient and we wait for the season, we can experience God in a cup.”

I am currently with some friends in the midst of Beth Moore’s study on the book of James.  James 1:12 states, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

I don’t know about you, but I am NOT a patient person when I’m being tested.  I’m very clear about the fact that God is not the author of my trials and that his desire is only for my good.  However, when I’m in the midst of some kind of emotional or spiritual pain that I don’t understand, I want God to give me answers, and I want them now.  I do not “patiently endure testing and temptation” very well.

During the second week of the study of James, I was hit between the eyes by the following insight:

“God uses time to unwrap presents that appear as curses . . . Temptation attempts to tear open the package before its due date and, in so doing, disfigures what’s inside.  Wait on the Lord!”

Can it be that God has something miraculous for me on the other end of the trials I’m experiencing right now?  If I force things and tear open the package prematurely, could I miss the beauty of what’s waiting for me inside?

I long for the blessing, and I believe God is faithful.  I will trust that the God shot is worth waiting for.

Tami Cinquemani

Is There Room in the Kingdom by Chad Hess

These past couple weeks since Hurricane Sandy devastated the east coast have brought many rare sights and amazing stories.  But there is one story in particular that stands out to me.  President Obama and New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, were not just working together, but gushing with praise about the other person.  Considering that Governor

Christie has been one of the harshest critics of President Obama and that this happened in the midst of a bitterly divisive presidential election, this story is indeed rare.  It only took a massive natural disaster in major metropolitan areas to make it happen.

I wonder what it would take for Christians of different denominations to not just work together, but to gush with praise for each other? It's easy for me to look at politicians and get frustrated that they are so focused on arguing about their differences that they fail to do the job they were elected to do.  Yet, at times, I see the same behavior in Christians and in myself.  The more that I have gotten to know friends of other denominations or other religions, the more I have appreciated and grown from their beliefs.  A Muslim friend of mine helped me appreciate Jesus in a new way.  My Methodist friends have helped me recognize what aspects of Adventist culture are unique to Adventists and which are not so different than other Christians.  A Baptist author helped me view the Sabbath in a new light.

Great growth and collaboration is possible when we change our perspective.  Am I more focused on arguing my beliefs or accomplishing God's mission?  Instead of trying to convince another Christian of my point of view, can I celebrate the unique perspective on God that they bring to the table?  Can we work together recognizing that we are all called to advance the Kingdom of God?  I believe there is plenty of room in that Kingdom for differences of opinion.

Chad Hess

2012 Voters Guide

This election is critical for the future of America.  There is one candidate that loves America, is absolutely selfless in all his motivations, will serve sacrificially and may, in fact, be the last hope for the survival of democracy in the free world.

His opponent is a liar, a cheater, hates America and all it stands for despite his thinly veiled claims to the contrary.  If elected, he will usher in an era that, at best, will be the demise of America, probably will end democracy, and may be the final nail in the coffin for the globe.

More poignantly, one of them is going to watch out for me while the other is going to take all my stuff and give it to someone else - all the things I earned, all the things I deserve.  And we all know that, core to the American Dream, is looking out for number one!

How do I know this? I watch TV, and I’ve heard the accusations that they and their supporters fling at each other.  While I’m sure that this must be the case, I’m not sure which of them is pure evil and which one is pure altruism.

Now as I remove my tongue slightly from my cheek, let me ask a couple of questions. How did we get here? and why do we accept it?  Contrary to conventional wisdom, I don’t think this is a new phenomenon.  Politics have been pretty ugly since the beginning.   However, I am concerned that our ADD, thirty-second-sound-bite world, has nearly eliminated the opportunity for civil discourse.

I thought I saw a moment in the current campaign when the two sides actually began to talk  intelligently and respectfully about the issues.  For a brief time I saw two men, who both love their country and believe they have a better plan and philosophy for governing, talking honestly about their differences.  They honestly, accurately, and thoughtfully represented themselves and their opponent.  Their different philosophies were clear, and for just a second I saw the chance to choose between two good, honest, men that love their country - two men that would be honored to give their lives in service to their country . . . to my country.  

Then all the others voices started.  They said that the civil discourse that I found so refreshing was boring, was weak, was tepid, and at their next meeting they both behaved like adolescent boys that would have been sent to their room without supper had I been their father.  But it was too late; I had seen beyond the bluster, I believed in them, I trusted them, I liked them, and I’m committed to the notion that the winner will do what he honestly thinks is in the best interest of this nation.

So where’s the voter’s guide, and why is this in a church blog?

My Christian voter’s guide has two components:  

First I refuse to think primarily of myself and my selfish interests as I go to the polling station.  If there’s one thing that is clear throughout the Bible, it’s the notion that we are to place others before ourselves.  A world in which we act based solely on our own pocketbook is a world that will not be fit for any of us to live in.  So as I vote, I’m going to consider these questions: What's best for my kids? What's best for your kids? How do we preserve and expand the great concepts of this nation?  Which path will give me the best opportunity to serve my country? my community? my friends? my enemies? Where do my selfish interests conflict with the country’s interests?

The second component is based on 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.  The chapter that has traditionally been a marriage guide is actually much more profound.  It is a description of how God deals with us.  It tells us that Love (God) is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, does not dishonors others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  

Please hear the scripture here.  This is a picture of how God relates to us.  He keeps no record of our wrongs! He always protects us! He always trusts us! He always has hope in us! And he always perseveres.  How different, how civil, would our discourse be if we looked at each other the way that God looks at us.  I don’t know about you, but if the Holy God of the universe believes that much in me, a flawed selfish sinner, the least I can do is pass it along.

So this election cycle I’m going to choose to trust, to persevere, to hope, to stay calm, to protect, to love this country and it’s leaders - not because they deserve it, but because they deserve it as much as I do.

Please consider this guide, and go vote.

John Monday