Christmas at No Mistake

The idea of vacation has become skewed in our society, or at least I think so. Most people speak of taking vacations to places which require much planning, movement, and little rest. If you are like me those are the attributes of m daily life. I go from one project to the next. From one job to the next hardly getting a chance to breathe. When I want to go on vacation I like to be able to relax and not be in a hurry to anything. This is what this week has been like.

My folks live in the middle of nowhere Mississippi on an old place which dates before the American Civil War. It is surrounded by gardens, a pond, geese and ducks and little of anything else. Its remoteness limits one's ability to get up and go to the hustle and bustle of this world. Some might think this is such a horrible thing to do because they need to be in the midst of chaos. I take this time to relax from chaos. I wake to coffee with my parents, who oddly enough become more interesting as I get older. I read for a few hours what I want to read. I get a chance to reflect for once. This is a true vacation. When I leave here I will be refreshed, renewed, ready to conquer the next onslaught of tasks which await me.

The Best Life Now

It comes as no surprise to me that Joel Osteen and his family are taking a vacation this time of year. With all of the megachurches closing down for "Holiday" (because they certainly do not celebrate Christmas) it becomes a great time for these pastors to take their families on vacation. This is exactly what Joel was doing. He and his family were heading to Vail Colorado for some skiing.

However, there was a delay for these vacationers and the rest of the people on their plane. The larger story can be read at http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3538956.html but the gist of the story is that Victoria is a prima donna who forgets that outside of Lakewood most do not care who she is. She ends up banging on the cockpit door and gets her and her family booted off the plane holding up the flight for two hours.

This only exemplifies the "best life" these Osteens are trying to show the world. This incident stands in stark contrast to the missionaries my church commissioned this past week. Three couples were sent to the utter-most parts of the world to join the many others who cannot even tell where they are going. These people understand a different "best life." One that is in search of gain on this temporary sphere but strive to work for the kingdom that has no end.

Maybe the Osteens need to do some gut checks about practicing what they preach, but then again have you heard what they preach? But that is another blog.

Narnia

On a much anticipated day I allowed myself the rare treat of going to the movies. The reason I do not frequent films these days is for various reasons. I could list the moral depravity of Hollywood or I could make claims as to poor cinematography and a loss of art, but mostly I choose to spend my money elsewhere. However, this treat I awarded myself.

It has been asked of me if I loved it, the movie that is. My response has been one that usually deflates anyone who exuberantly expresses the need for al of Christendom to go and watch this film. (A passion which would revolutionize the kingdom if it were focused on reading the very Word of God, but that is a different post.)

Let begin by stating that I really enjoyed the film. It was well done and it almost represented the story Lewis wrote. These are admirable thing for any movie adapted from a book. In fact the movie lead my mother and my niece into a conversation about Jesus Christ and it helped clarify some Christology in my nieces mind.

What I did not like about the film might seem too small for some, however they are important for me. First, the line "he is not tame but he is good" which is one of the last lines of the film from Mr. Tumnus is not exactly the same in the book. I think this line is one of the most important lines of the whole series and it was slighlty stripped of its significance. Lewis placed it in the mouth of Badger and he said "Safe, of course he is not safe, but he is good." To me there is a difference between tame and safe. There is also a difference about the placement of the all important phrase. In the book it comes prior to the introduction of Aslan which paints a reader/viewers perception of the Christ figure in the story.

Second, I do want to laud praises on Disney for speaking of the Deep magic and the atonement language which Lewis incorporated, however I think there could have been a few more lines which explained the significance of the Stone Table breaking in two.

I hope I have not discouraged anyone from seeing this film. It was a treat for me and I anxiously await the next one.

Closed for Christmas?

I admit it. I like the restaurant Jack in the Box. They make a good hamburger (not so great on fries). I find myself going to stop by there often to pick up a burger or egg rolls or a shake. This is a journey often made later in the evening when I am lazy and hungry. However, what I notice when I have been going through the drive through lately is its holiday hours. They have posted the times which they will be open on Christmas and New Years. Yes they will be open. Years ago there would have been an uproar about a business operating on a religious holiday, and especially this year, a Sunday. No one is hollering this year. Jack will be available.

What is astonishing is not that businesses are open on Christmas, but that churches are closed. Sure, in the past most churches have not had Christmas Day services. There is a "traditional" Christmas Eve service which is very emotional and hear warming. Then they can go home put the kids in bed because Santa is coming. However, this year Christmas is on Sunday, the day the church has worshiped from its beginnings, and many churches, including mega churches like Willow Creek-Bill Hybels, Fellowship Church in Grapevine-Ed Young Jr., and Northpoint Community Church-Andy Stanley-will be closed.

When I hear these things I do not know what to think. What has gone wrong? Where did the church cease to exist for God and begin to focus upon itself? Has American individuality and consumerism driven our churches too far?

Lets review something. First, Sundays are a day of worship. Christians have treated them as the "Sabbath" for centuries. It is the day of rest and communion with God. Second, Christmas is a celebration of the coming of Christ. To use the cliche: "He is the reason for the season." Now it would only seem obvious that when these two days coincided Christians would have more of a chance to celebrate and gather together. So what has happened that has made some of the largest churches the world has ever seen decide they will not meet that day?

There are reports from these churches that attendance will be down so they decided to cancel. There have been excuses offered that point to all of the other "Christmas" events scheduled. I suppose they think that the day is not extremely sacred, and its not in and of itself. However, the message I think that is being sent (and perhaps the underlying reality) is that many Churches only do activities which cater to the needs of their congregations. This teaches their members (if there are any real ones) that they are more important than God. God has been lessened to an entity to call upon when you need your best life now. He is not the feared God of the Bible.

Sounds harsh? Maybe so, but when you have churches who are focused on what their attenders need more than the worship the Bible mandates you will eventually have problems.

I will be in church Christmas morning celebrating the coming of our (not my) King. Will you?

Christmas and the ACLU

I saw this on the website stoptheaclu.com. I have not read what this organization is primarily promoting, but I saw the picture and I thought it was quite interesting.

I do find this picture funny, very funny. However, at the same time I find myself wondering how many of our Christian liberties will be taken away before we stand firm with these attacks from the far left.

I whole heartedly believe we have a social responsibility as Christian in this nation, yet we remain silent. I want to join Rod Parsley in at least his title "Silent No More." The problem with the picture to the left is that many Christians do act that way. They are driven by fear of how people will view them instead of a holy fear of God.

This season lets remember Christ: the reason for Christmas. Then when we make our resolutions, lets make a resolution to be silent no more on these issues. The liberal media has an audience because the conservative right is barely whispering.