Scripture… As We Live It #241
This is the 241st passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil – except on New Year’s Day when your ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ carries more weight than usual. (Matthew 5:37 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
New Years Resolutions?
So, it’s almost New Years Eve, and then, believe it or not, it will be New Years Day. What does that mean? Well, it means that it will not longer be 2012; it will then be 2013. It will no longer be December; it will then be January. It will no longer be Monday; it will then be Tuesday. But, isn’t there something special about taking one calendar off the wall and putting up another new calendar? Not really, unless you are a calendar maker. So, what does this “new year” have in store for me? Well, maybe this post from a couple of years ago can explain my perspective. The post was originally called “Resolved.”
(By the way, if there’s something important that you think you should start in 2013, why not start it now?)
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Resolved
I don’t normally make New Years resolutions, and I’ve resolved not to make resolutions this year. Now, if you want to make New Years resolutions, that’s great! I simply choose not to do so.
But, it is good to reflect on your life. As a follower of Jesus, it’s good to compare your life to what we read about in Scripture and to ask yourself in which direction God is leading you. New Years (and every day really) is a good time to do this.
So, where am I? And, where is God leading me?
Currently, I’m in a pretty good place. My family is doing well. God has surrounded me with wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ who are taking their responsibility to one another (including me) seriously. I have a couple of really good jobs – although, I would prefer to have a different job, but I’m learning to be content in that as well.
I have a big decision coming up within the next two months. I’ve been invited (along with three of my brothers from Messiah Baptist Church) to spend two weeks in Ethiopia in July. We would be helping several churches in a region of that country. So, by February, I have to decide if I’m going or not. (I’ll write more about this later.)
So, what is my resolution this year? The same as it has been every year, and every day: attempt to live my life in a way that brings glory to God by loving and serving other people. That could happen in North Carolina, or in Ethiopia, or anywhere else God leads me.
What will that look like in the next year? I have no idea.
2012 Book of the Year
Each year since I started blogging, I’ve chosen a “book of the year” from one of the books that I’d read for the first time during that year.
This year, I’m doing something a little different. I’m still choosing a “book of the year,” but I’m not choosing a book that I read for the first time during 2012. Instead, I’m choosing a book that I re-read during 2012. (I first read this book before I started my blog, so I’ve never chosen it as “book of the year” before…)
So, I’m choosing Paul’s Idea of Community: The Early House Churces in Their Cultural Setting by Robert Banks as my “book of the year” of 2012.
Like I said, I re-read this book in October 2012, and I wrote a few posts reflecting on a few of the chapters. Here are those posts:
- “For Paul, freedom means independence, dependence, and interdependence“
- “The ekklesia that actually gathers in a location“
- “The ekklesia as a heavenly reality“
- “The Body Metaphor in Paul: Familiar and yet unique“
- “A structure that emerges naturally based on the people involved“
I read this book at a time when I was trying to decide whether or not to continue my academic pursuits. This book helped me see that my views of the church could be expressed in a scholarly way. (Interestingly, the book was recommended by a professor who does not share my views of the church…)
So, if you haven’t read this book, I would definitely recommend it!
Most Read Posts of 2012
Last year was a great year for my blog. While I’m excited that my posts got more hits this year than last year (and last year was up quite a bit over the previous years), I’m more excited that so many of you continue to interact with me and one another in the comments.
Since I started this blog in March 2006, I’ve published just over 4,000 posts, and those posts have received just over 24,000 comments. That’s an average of 6 comments per post! Of course, some posts do not get any comments, and some posts get many more than 6 comments.
So, thank you for reading, and thank you also for commenting! I truly learn alot through the comments on this blog.
These are the top 10 most read posts on my blog from 2012:
- “What pastoring is NOT” (from April 2012)
- “Why is it so difficult to find organic church life?” (from January 2012)
- “From the Anabaptists: Spittlemayr on Love and Property” (from May 2012)
- “Sermons sound like a great idea, but what are people getting from them?” (from February 2012)
- “People want real examples of organic church life” (from January 2012)
- “Which Distinctive Beliefs and Practices of Anabaptists are Important for the Church Today?” (from May 2012)
- “The Call to Worship” (from November 2012)
- “A Scholar’s Convictions Concerning the Church” (from July 2012)
- “Chain Blog: One Another” (from October 2012)
- “What do I mean when I use the word CHURCH?” (from August 2012)
Several older posts (from before 2012) also continue to get alot of hits. The pre-2012 posts below were the most read during 2012:
- “Definition: Church (or Ekklesia)” (from April 2011)
- “Guest Post: How does the church respond to poverty?” (from April 2011)
- “The Day of Pentecost in the Upper Room” (from May 2011)
- “Theological Sources: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience, And?” (from February 2011)
- “The ekklesia and the kuriakon” (from July 2007)
- “Was Timothy the Bishop of Ephesus?” (from December 2008)
- “Colossians – Exhortations about prayer and outsiders” (from February 2011)
- “How Does God Communicate?” (from March 2007)
- “What Scripture teaches about the church” (from March 2011)
- “Ephesians 4:11 and the Five-Fold Ministry” (from April 2007)
Thank you again! I don’t think you’ll ever know how much I appreciate you.
What was your favorite post from 2012? Is it one of the ones listed above? Or another one?
Link Love One Another
One of the things that I love about blogging is the interaction, both in comments on a blog and between blogs through links. From the beginning of this blog, I’ve tried to link to other blogs often, to interact with people who have various viewpoints and to point my readers to good writers and topics.
About this time each year, I like to officially thank those people who also link to my blog. Unfortunately, I can’t personally thank each person who linked to my blog, especially since I don’t know every time that someone links here. However, if you’ve linked to my site in a blog post, or shared a link on Facebook, or retweeted a link on Twitter, or shared a link in any other way… Thank you!
I really do appreciate it, and I really do appreciate you.
During 2012, the following sites sent the most traffic to my blog, and I want to thank them also:
- “The Voice of One Crying Out in Suburbia” by Arthur
- Dave Black’s Blog
- “Some Church Stuff” by Dan
- “Revisiting Scripture” by Tom
- “A Pilgrim’s Progress” by Eric
- “Cerulean Sanctum” by Dan
- “Till He Comes” by Jeremy
- “Coffee Trader News & Views” by Lindon
- “From the Pew” by Steve
- “Being Filled” by Chuck
Again, thank you all (both those listed above and others) who linked to my site and my posts during 2012!
Replay: Jesus is the Reason… to live in unity
I originally published a post called “Jesus is the Reason” five years ago. Some of my friends celebrate Christmas as a very important day for a follower of Jesus Christ. Other friends do not celebrate Christmas. And, still others, seem to fight against Christmas and any who celebrate. With such diverse and contradictory views, will these groups ever see eye-to-eye or find unity and fellowship with one another? Only if they’re all looking at Jesus…
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Jesus is the Reason
So, it’s Christmas Day.
If you believe that this is the most holy day of the year, then I have a request of you. Please remember that Jesus is the reason for you to live every day – he’s not simply a slogan to tack on to your life on Christmas Day. Celebrate this day as unto the Lord. Also, remember your brothers and sisters who choose to view all days as equally holy. They also celebrate all days as unto the Lord.
If you believe that Christmas Day should not be celebrated as the most holy day of the year, then I have a request of you. Please remember that Jesus is the reason for you to live every day – including today. You do not have an excuse to be unkind or ungenerous simply because you do not choose to celebrate Christmas Day. Celebrate this day, as all days, unto the Lord. Also, remember your brothers and sisters who choose to view this day as special. They also celebrate this day as unto the Lord.
Even the hearts and minds of unbelievers are turned toward God and spiritual things during this time. Look for opportunities to speak of God’s grace and truth to those who need to hear.
Live today for the glory of God. Love him and love those around you. Serve the people that God brings across your path. Serve them before they can serve you. Accept those who are different. Be patient with those who are less mature. Follow those who are more mature. Walk in Spirit. When you come together with your brothers and sisters in Christ, seek to build them up, to stir up love and good works within them, and to mature them in Christ Jesus.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Replay: We care about Scripture… except at Christmas
Last year, I wrote a post called “We care about Scripture… except at Christmas.” You know that many, many of the things we sing about or talk about regarding the “first Christmas” are not actually in Scripture. You know that, right? Well, read the story again in Matthew 1 and Luke 1-2. Did you notice how many things are missing? I mean, how could anyone create a good nativity scene with those stories?
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We care about Scripture… except at Christmas
Okay, so before you begin reading, you should know something. I’m not opposed to celebrating Christmas. Really, I’m not. I enjoy the tree and decorations; I enjoy giving presents wrapped in colorful paper; I enjoy the songs and carols and stories; I enjoy getting presents wrapped in anything.
But, I was recently talking with my children… yes, for some reason, they’re as sarcastic and skeptical as I am. Anyway, we were talking about Christmas. One of them… I don’t remember which one… said something about the story of Jesus’ birth in Scripture. Later, at work, we had a similar discussion.
So, why do we care so much about Scripture – dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s (or would that be iota’s and tau’s – jots and tittles) – except at Christmas? Here are a few examples:
When (in relation to Jesus’ birth) did Mary speak/sing “The Magnificat” (from Luke 1:46-55)?
How many animals are mentioned in the stories of Jesus’ birth at Christmas? How many animals are in your favorite nativity set or Christmas pageant?
Where was Jesus born according to Scripture? A stall? A barn? A cave? (The word often translated “inn” in Luke 2:7 is also used in Luke 22:11.)
Did the angels sing to the shepherds? (Luke 2:13) (Luke likes the word that used there: Luke 2:20, Luke 19:37, Luke 24:53, Acts 2:47, Acts 3:8, Acts 3:9.)
When did the star/magi (3 Wise Men?) appear in the story? Where did the magi find Jesus? (Matthew 2:11)
Was Jesus born on December 24/25 at night? Did he cry? When exactly did the Little Drummer Boy (my favorite Christmas character/song) appear?
Can you think of other aspects of the typical Christmas story that are not found in Scripture?
Now, it’s not wrong to include these things in our Christmas pageants and songs. But, we should recognize the difference between nice stories/traditions, and Scripture. From talking with many people, most don’t know the difference when it comes to the story of Jesus’ birth.
I wonder if this reflects people’s general knowledge and understanding of Scripture…
Scripture… As We Live It #240
This is the 240th passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth and we celebrate his birth on December 25 by decorating our homes and exchanging gifts. (John 1:14 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
Replay: Christmas ’93 and Eternity
Nineteen years ago today, my wife Margaret gave birth to our first child, a son who we named Jeremy. Six years ago, in honor of his 13th birthday, I wrote a post called “Christmas ’93 and eternity.” It has become a tradition to “replay” this post on December 22 each year. And, you know how strict I am about keeping traditions. So… here it is again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy remembering that day (although, I don’t think that’s possible).
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Christmas ’93 and eternity
A few days ago, we celebrated my son’s 13th birthday by taking him to see the movie Eragon. He and his friends enjoyed it, though the story was a bit predictable for me.
Anyway, celebrating his birthday and preparing for Christmas reminded me of the Christmas of 1993. Our son was born on the 22nd of December that year. We brought him home on Christmas eve, stuffed in a red stocking. The next morning, we gave him his first Christmas gifts: clothes, a stuffed animal, and a full-size football (autographed by Bo Jackson, which is only important to half the population of the state of Alabama).
My wife was surprised that I would get my newborn son a football. But, he quickly outgrew both the clothes and the stuffed animal, but he can still play with the football! So, the football turned out to be a better gift than she thought at first. True, a three day old baby can do nothing with a football but drool on it. But, eventually, he grew to love football.
As I was thinking about his first Christmas and his first Christmas gifts, I wondered how often I focus on things that will truly last. I don’t even mean things that will last a few years or even a lifetime. But, how often do I focus on things that will last eternally? As I understand it, the only things on earth that are eternal are people. Do I give gifts that will make an eternal difference? Do I give things that will eventually fade? Or, do I give of myself to people who will last for eternity?
One day, I will join with multitudes around the throne of God. I hope that even this year I am giving eternal gifts.
p.s. Last year, we gave our (then) 12 year old son a special gift. We asked several men who had impacted his life to write him a letter. We asked them to tell him something that they wished someone had told them when they turned 12. We then took all of the letters and bound them in an album. It turned out to be a very special gift!
God enjoys a good light display
Last year, I wrote a post called “An inspirational light display.” We strung lights on our house to celebrate Christmas because, well, that’s what you do around here. But, when I was looking at the lights, I realized that God loves a good light display. Of course, I wasn’t thinking about the string of twinkling icicle lights on our house. That’s not the kind of light that pleases God…
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An inspirational light display
God cares about light displays. But, I’ll get back to that in another 200 words.
Last weekend, our friend Jared helped us string white icicle lights along our roof line. Many of our neighbors have decorated their houses, porches, trees, and yard ornaments with lights: white or multi-colored; twinkling, blinking, or steady.
Of course, there’s nothing in our neighborhood to compare to Mr. Grizwald’s light display. There are a few families in our town or the towns around us who seem to be attempting to give Clark a run for his money. And, then, there was the TV show about the houses around the country that have been decorated with hundreds of thounsands – even one million – lights.
So, are you thinking about a light display this Christmas? You should. Seriously.
Why? Because God enjoys a good light display. Jesus talked about this in the Sermon on the Mount:
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others… (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)
Apparently, according to Jesus, God enjoys light displays that light up an entire hillside… and entire city. He wants a light display that cannot be hidden. Of course, this passage is not only about Christmas light displays, but certainly Christmas lights fall into this category.
I’m thinking that the early church’s emphasis on light displays (especially at Christmas-time) was one of the reasons (perhaps the main reason) that Paul told followers of Jesus let their lights shine in the world. Their light displays were so spectacular that their pagan neighbors could not help but notice.
So, we can see that light displays – including Christmas light displays – were important to Jesus, and they were important to Paul and the early church. If light displays were that important, then certainly they should be important to us as well. We’re not told whether we should choose white or multi-colored lights, or whether the lights should blink, twinkle, or remain on steadily. Perhaps that doesn’t matter as long as there is an awesome and inspirational light display.
Hold on one second… Are you sure? You really don’t think Matthew 5 is about Christmas lights? You think I should read further? Let me see…
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV)
Ah. I see. But, what about Paul telling Christians to shine their lights? That’s about light displays, including Christmas lights, right? No? We’ll see about that…
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16 ESV)
hmm…. hmph.
Well, readers, I apologize. Apparently, someone – who shall remain nameless, but his initials are HS – wants to ruin a perfectly good inspirational Christmas message by demanding that I consider what Jesus and Paul were actually saying. Someone thinks these passages are about living our lives in a way that demonstrates our trust in God and that they have nothing to do with Christmas lights.
But, I’ll leave that up to you – my loyal readers – to decide for yourselves. If you think Jesus and Paul are talking about Christmas light displays, then I hope your house is the brightest on the block.
But, if you think they’re talking about living your life in a way that others notice and in a way that points others toward God through Jesus Christ, well, I guess that’s fine, too.
Just don’t expect to win the best decorations or tackiest lights awards this year!