To whom much is given, much will be expected...

This year at Christmas, I have been thinking a lot about a very familiar expression. Perhaps you've heard it, too. "To whom much is given, much will be expected." You see, it has been made very apparent to me over the past several months that I have been given a wonderful life! My family has been blessed beyond imagination! Sometimes we can have a tendency to take blessings somewhat for granted, even forgeting where they are coming from. Sometimes we need a "holiday" like Christmas to remind us how truly blessed we really are.

Throughout 2008, we have been offered numerous opportunities to give. We have been prompted to share what we have been given with many along our path (family, friends, neighbors, people in our community, etc.). I am happy to report that we have responded to several of those promptings, and with JOY and hopefully a very generous spirit. However, I am sad to report that we have not responded to all of the requests that have come our way. Maybe it is unrealistic to think that we could respond to all the requests that are out there; there will always be more "need" than resources to satisfy the need it seems. But, I've had to ask myself this very penetrating question: "Why have we balked at some of the requests, but responded to several others?" I don't really have a hard and fast answer to my own question. I can only ascertain that God prompts us to respond to some needs, but potentially tells us to take a pass on others?

Each Christmas Eve, I have a special tradition of calling some dear friends of mine, Herrick and Mary Smith, in Florida. They are still a wonderful model and example to me of incredible "giving." I try to emulate their totally selfless generosity whenever possible, but especially at Christmas. You see, back in December of 1979, I found myself alone (and away from any family or friends) in Gainesville, Florida, at Christmas time. I was about to begin a "temporary" job of teaching Landscape Architecture at the University of Florida. After only meeting me once or twice, and knowing me for just two or three days, they still chose to invite me to attend Christmas Eve services at their church. They also invited me back to their home to share Christmas dinner with their family and friends. Amazing! It wasn't like they were extremely wealthy or the food/gifts were anything special. They had a very modest home and it really wasn't fancy at all. But, the way they were so willing to give whatever they had to someone like me who had a need is still an incredible witness to me of the expression "to whom much is given, much will be expected." Out of hearts filled with the love of Christ, they gave. And they gave willingly and abundantly. Wow! Thanks Herrick and Mary for being such great examples to me of "to whom much is given, much will be expected."

Therefore, I try to model Herrick and Mary's generosity to my family also and live by the overall intent of this expression - especially the second half of it. Not in a legalistic or "payback" sort of way (God really doesn't operate like that). It's not like we have to give because we have been given to. No, rather it is because there is a basic responsibility that goes along with abundant blessings. We have the privilege of sharing the abundance we have been given. I am so very grateful for that privilege.

God help me to have a pure heart to share, and the willingness to see the needs You have placed in my path...

It's a Wonderful Life

Each year about this time (if you are a traditionalist like me), you probably sit down in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn and watch one of the most well-known, well-loved movies ever - It's a Wonderful Life. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed (as well as several others), this movie is one of my all-time favorites! To my continued amazement, when I watch it each year, I give it my full attention (even though I've probably seen it several dozen times!). And even though I know the complete story by heart and obviously remember from year to year how it ends, I still get red in the face and tears start automatically flowing down my cheeks at certain scenes. Amazing! I'm such a sap! It's just a movie, for goodness sake! But, an incredible one with a terrific message...

This week I had my annual It's a Wonderful Life - "George Bailey" moment. I usually have one of these leading up to the Christmas holiday, and this year it came one week before Christmas. No, I haven't watched the movie yet. Rather, my "moment" came when I watched my wonderful "angel" sing in the Southwest Airlines choir. It caught me completely off-guard. Didn't see it coming at all...

You see, in some respects, this has been one of the best years of my life! But, in other respects, the past three months have been a real bummer... As with George Bailey, I guess I had kind of lost perspective. I started seeing the "bad" and the "problems" with everything. That was all I could think about. It was starting to consume me. For example, there was that someone who had dreamed big and moved on to become a huge success elsewhere (similar to George's brother Harry, and his friend Sam Wainwright) while I stayed in one place with the same job seemingly forever. There were those people in my life that needed help in the past, and now needed even more help from me while I was weary of giving it (similar to how George may have felt about Uncle Billy, old Mr. Gower and/or Violet). There was that painfully antagonistic person in my life who seemed to do things contrary to what I considered good values and sound thinking and still got away with it (similar to old man Potter). Finally, there was my sweet family who loved me greatly and tried so hard to make everything in my life special, but all I could see was their occasional slip-ups and selfishly harp on their actions/behaviors (similar to how George reacted to Mary and his children when his problems and the pressure they created consumed him on Christmas Eve).

Then it happened. Seeing my wonderful daughter Katie sing with the Southwest Airlines choir, seeing the smile on her face and the obvious JOY she was experiencing started me on the way to much needed repentence and tears - tears of confession and tears of gratefulness over how much the Lord has forgiven me and blessed me beyond my imagination. I was really caught up short. It climaxed when a young man in the choir sang "O Holy Night" magnificently! Read some of the incredible lyrics to this song below.

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Thanks, Katie (my Clarence), and the Southwest Airlines choir for ministering to me in such a powerful way! Despite all of our problems, despite the fact that we may have sacrificed dreams on behalf of others, we still can say "It's a Wonderful Life" because of what the Lord has done! Joy to the World and Merry Christmas!

Are we becoming the "Divided" States of America?

Red states vs. blue states. Conservatives vs. liberals. Republicans vs. Democrats. Independent people (financially) vs. dependent people (financially). PC users vs. Mac users. Suburban/rural dwellers vs. urban/city dwellers. Pro-life people vs. abortion rights advocates. Churched people vs. unchurched people. Christianity vs. all other "religions."

What ever happened to the "United" States of America? I am wondering, were we ever that "united" anyway? Wasn't it Abraham Lincoln who said in a speech given in 1858 these words (from Jesus' thoughts in Matthew 12:24-26; Mark 3:23-25; and Luke 11:16-18): "A nation divided against itself cannot stand?"

So how did we get to this place where we are so divided? Seems like we've taken our "independence" and overall selfishness as human beings a little bit too far. Many of us have fallen into the traps set by our culture's "ME" generation and the tendency to think that the whole world revolves around "me" and my wishes/desires/preferences, etc. The greater good of all people doesn't seem to be on our radar screens any more (like it might have been in Abraham Lincoln's time and before?). Rather, it is all about "me" and the heck with everyone else!

I decided this week as I traveled in the eastern part of the United States that I would make a more concerted effort to look for things that "unify" versus things that "divide." Even when someone is doing something that is strange/unfamiliar to me and/or believing something that I don't really agree with or think is wrong, I will try to look for even a very small part to focus on that actually unifies us versus dividing us. What would happen if we all tried to look for things that unify versus things that divide? Wouldn't our country be a much better place for all of us to live if we did this?

As a Christ follower, I am now obligated to extend grace (unmerited favor) to those I come into contact with. After all, isn't that what God did with me when I was completely lost in my sin and in need of salvation (a salvation only received through belief in Jesus' death on the cross and subsequent miraculours resurrection)? Grace does not mean that you compromise God's Word and/or principles of the Christian faith. No, it means that you extend "slack" and understanding to others, and look for ways to agree with them, building paths of understanding and reconciliation wherever you can.

The "Divided States of America?" Don't let it happen. Counteract the prevalent tendencies that are out there to continually divide us, and look for ways that we can be united again. I believe the future of our great country depends on each and every one of us looking for ways we can do this.

What are you doing - what am I doing - to foster unity versus division? Think about it...

The Midshipmen's Prayer of the Naval Academy

I was traveling most of the past week on business (to Princeton, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.). Traveling always affords me with plenty of opportunities to do reading that I seldom take time to do when I am at the office or at home. The magazines and periodicals and letters in the mail just stack up on me in my "inbox" and have to wait for the next trip to get read. I sometimes feel sorry for the people sitting next to me on the planes as I just get into my seat and read. Very little conversation with my traveling companions...

I also was involved in some work project meetings this week that included some members of our military personnel. Fine people. Really exceptional folks who are to be admired. Whenever I am around military personnel I am always impressed with how focused and mission-oriented they are. I'm also impressed with how dignified and above-board they seem to be. There's just something different about them and their approach to life, it seems.

So, it probably was not an accident that within the magazine I was reading on the plane I "found" the Midshipmen's Prayer of the Naval Academy. It really jumped out at me. I read it and then thought, "Wow. What if I approached each new day with these words on my lips? What kind of impact might that have on my behavior and the behavior of those around me?"

Today, I am going to try to accept the challenge of reading this prayer frequently and see what kind of difference it makes in my life. I challenge each of you reading this to consider doing the same thing.

"Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed... Protect those in whose love I live. Give me the will to do my best and to accept my share of responsibilities with a strong heart and a cheerful mind. Make me considerate of those entrusted to my leadership and faithful to the duties my country has entrusted in me. If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me the courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and keep before me the life of Him by whose example and help I trust to obtain the answer to my prayer, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

And then there is Someone who will never change...

In my Bible, the heading for Hebrews 13 says The Changeless Christ. As a matter of fact, in verse 8 it says this:

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

What a comfort to know that my Savior does not change! In a world that almost worships change and considers all change to be good-better-best, I am so glad that Christ does not need to change. He is the same yesterday and today and forever, and that's really O.K. What would He even need to change? He's perfect. He paid it all. He's at the right hand of God. He's all we'll ever need, just as He is right now. Praise God for that!

Now "us" on the other hand, not so much. We need to change. Not to try and win favor, or to clean ourselves up to be acceptable. For those of you who are followers of Christ, we need to change because we are continuously in the process of sanctification until we see our Savior face-to-face. He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to stay the same.

What is Jesus asking you to change today? What is Jesus asking ME to change today?

Hebrews 13. It's good reading.

Who's allowed to change?

As the old sayings go, "What goes around, comes around" and "Turn about is fair play." I probably had this coming, but I really didn't see it until it was upon me. You see, this happened to my parents years ago, too. What am I talking about? Change - and who's allowed to change.

In late December, 1976 (about seven months after I graduated from college), my parents' house on the farm burned to the ground (it was actually New Year's Eve, I think). Fortunately, both Mom and Dad were able to get out before the fire consumed their house completely. But, they lost a lot - not the least of which was their home and a lot of their belongings. Soon after the fire, some friends of theirs invited them to come to Arizona for some time away from winter in Iowa and the devastation of the fire. They stayed out there a week or two and had a great time. When they returned, they announced to my sisters and me that they had purchased a lot and were going to be building a house in Sun City. They were planning on moving there later that year.

What? What do you mean you are moving to Arizona? How dare you decide something like that without checking with me first? I'm not sure if my sisters were as upset/perplexed as I was since they were both already married and raising families and such. But I was only a few months out of college, working my first job and living in St. Louis. If they moved to Arizona, what if I wanted to go "home" to visit them? Arizona wasn't "home" - Iowa was my home! How dare they change my world like that? What were they thinking?

Then a small voice inside of me said, "Well, what about you? You moved to St. Louis and didn't check with them first before you did that. So what's the problem? Are you saying that YOU can change all you want and they just have to accept it, but they can't change anything in their life at all? Is that what you are saying?"

Wow. Talk about being caught up short. It really made me think. Who was I to decide what is best for them and/or try to manipulate what they could (or couldn't) do? Talk about selfish on my part! I still didn't like the situation at all, but I had to change my attitude about it and realize that it really wasn't up to me to decide for my parents.

Fast forward to 2008. Mom and Dad still live in Arizona (part of the year) in the same house they built back in 1977. It has been such a great move for them! I've even grown to love their house in Arizona and kind of consider it to be a second "home."

This week with my own family, I tossed out an idea (by e-mail) of potentially making a BIG change in our lives. It had to do with our annual New Year's Day pancake breakfast tradition. Was 30 years of doing it long enough? Was it time for this tradition to end? Well, now I think I know and understand a bit more how my parents may have felt back in 1977 when they offerred up a big change in their lives.

So, who's allowed to change? Only "the young and the restless," or is everyone (even us old people) allowed?

Praise God that we all have the "freedom" to change, and that we live in a country that is free (at least for now?) and allows each citizen to decide what is right/best for themselves! I am so thankful for that. But, what happens when someone you know and love (and are even closely related to) decides to make a change (big or small) in their life? Are you willing to put aside your selfishness and be open to that? What if the change doesn't appear to be a good one for them (in your opinion)? Can you still accept their change, try to understand it from their vantage point, and love them anyway? I wish that I could say that it is easier 31 years later to do so, but shamefully it isn't.

"What goes around, comes around" and "Turn about is fair play."

By the way, we ARE going to continue the New Year's Day pancake breakfast tradition at our house - at least for a few more years... :-)

The Assassin of Character Creep

Back in late September of this year, I heard a man by the name of Mike Foster speak at a men's conference our church sponsored. He and his buddy Jud Wilhite have written a book called Deadly Viper Character Assassins. Good book. I am studying it with some men on Friday mornings, and I plan to give at least one copy to someone very special to me this Christmas.

Anyway, Mike's message on "Character Creep" was really good. I took some notes from his talk and that is what I'll share in this post.

His first point was that slip ups in the small things are what happen first as our character begins to creep. He said that we all need to make good decisions in the small things. Apparently it was discovered after the fact that the Titanic sank not because it hit an iceberg, but because of faulty rivets. The manufacturer of the Titanic cut corners big time with the rivets that held the steel in place on that large ship. When it hit the iceberg, the imperfections of those faulty rivets exposed themselves. Mike said that we can not cut corners; we should not take short cuts. He cited the story of Enron. The executives of that failed organization did not determine several years before it failed to put plans into place for failure. No, they were slowly cooked; they slowly faded into poor decision-making that eventually caused the failure. Mike told us that we need to manage our rivets. The strength of our character is cumulative.

His second point was that we all need to work hard for complete transparency. We need to avoid "image-management." Don't hide things from others; don't fool people. Don't even try. Someone is going to find out the truth. Don't pretend that everything is O.K. - especially if it really isn't. Be transparent at all times. Avoid managing your "image."

His third point was a really good one. He said that we need to refrain from doing anything today that we wouldn't want to read in the headlines (or see on a You Tube video) tomorrow. Wow. Think about that. What if what you did yesterday (or the day before) was in the headlines tomorrow. Would you be O.K. with that? Be diligent about your character. Be strategic knowing that everything you do and say reflects the current status of your character - both good and bad.

Finally, since Mike is a Christian and understands this value especially for believers, he said that we need to "do it in community." We all need other people in our lives speaking truth to us. Don't be blind to your compromises. True friends stab you in the front. If your Christian friends aren't saying anything to you right now, then you are in big trouble. Just like in athletics, if the coach isn't riding you hard, he may have already given up on you. There is a lot of talk about accountability in Christian circles these days. Mike says that people can fake accountability. Rather, we all need to be "advocates" for each other. Challenge one another to stronger character and more Christ-like actions! We also need to be willing to stand by someone we love through the good and the bad. But, that doesn't mean that we just accept their character creeps and fail to challenge them. No, we need to get right in the middle of our wounded and hurt soldiers' lives. We need them to know that nothing they would ever do would keep us from loving them. We might be really disappointed, but we will not abandon them. We will stand by them anyway, even when the times get tough.

Character creep. It can happen so easily to all of us. Thank God for Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite who authored a really great book. Thank God for calling each of us to take stock of our character. Character matters.