Christmas! Is it worth fighting for?

I have heard and seen a constant battle over the words Christmas being used this time of year. I think it is ridiculous that Christians are so rapped up in a word. In stead we should be rapped up in the WORD. We should be proclaiming the Gospel to ourselves and others. The day we observe the birth of Christ has more of a pagan tradition then a accurate date of birth. Also, I continue to hear that our rights as Christians in America are being taken away. The America of today is not the America of our forefathers. The America of our forefathers was one that had religious freedom- if you believed the way the area you lived in believed- ask Roger Williams. Of the three early English American colonies, only one was founded for religious purposes and that was Plymouth where the Puritans settled, but they were far from tolerant. Georgia was a debtors colony and Virginia was a economic experiment which eventually brought about the cash crop tabacco. The America today is not an English only America- it is a people of so many cultures which encompass different religions and languages. How do we as Christians deal with these multiple issues? I think that is the question. We are to look at it as a people whose home is not here and whose kingdom is not of this world. The U.S. will pass away but the Kingdom of God will never pass away. The word Christmas will pass away as we experience a home in heaven that will to most peoples surprise not speak English. The Word will not pass away. As we constantly fight over education practices, movies like Harry Potter, Golden Compass, and DiVinci Code, and the use of the word Christmas we forget that we are commissioned to proclaim the Gospel. If we focus our efforts on training up laborers for the harvest field and going into the world to evangelize then we will not look at the things which matter not and will pass away. Atheists and Agnostics don't need the right words for the Holidays they need the words of salvation. They need to see the Grace, Mercy, and Love of the Father because if the don't get that the will experience the Wrath, Justice, and Destruction of God. We bring the Word which in itself is a stumbling block, we don't have to add to it by our self righteousness and ignorance. Let us come together and show and share Jesus with our neighbors and friends. Penetrate your culture and love others and love the brothers and sisters. If you love one another then they will know you are my disciples. May all believers have a Merry Christmas and may the common grace of God allow nonbelievers to have a great Christmas even though they do not know the price that was paid for them to have that wonderful morning.

8 YEARS

On Tuesday Dec. 18th Ginger and I will be married 8 years. As I look back on those 8 years I praise the Lord for His provision. He has provided me a wonderful wife and teammate. I am so excited about working with her in ministry in England like we did in Fairhope and Decatur. I have had the priviledge of watching her grow in her relationship with Christ and enjoy seeing her minister in a variety of ways to me and those in the church. When we first met she was not inclined to desire a life of service in another country. God has truly worked in her heart and it is exciting to see her compassion for the people of England continue to grow. As we begin the support raising season of our ministry and life (which will probably continue until we see Jesus) it is encouraging to have Ginger there with me. As we embark on the rest of our lives together I am persuaded that they will be just as satisfying because our focus is on the Lord and not our on agendas in this relationship. May I be the leader that Ginger needs, one who points her to Christ continually. He will be her strength and portion forever. I thank the Lord for the women he has given for me to spend my life with.

Blog Title Change

I have began to blog again. It has been awhile and a great deal has been going own. I have changed the name of my blog because I am continually being shown that I have a lack of faith. You might ask, faith in what? I resemble the man in the book of Mark in the Holy Scriptures when he tells Christ that he believes but "help me with my unbelief." As my family continues along this journey into missions and begin raising support I see that our God is large. I also see my wife and children growing in their understanding of God and the gift he so freely gave. I marvel at the fact that we serve a God that works through us as broken vessels. The Lord has shown me that every thing that I am, love, possess, and desire is His. This process is ongoing and I continually see Him stripping away my idols. I look at my children- they are God's. That has been something that has truly been tough. I see how I desire to protect them from the world and all it has to offer. In reality my attempt to protect is hindering their opportunity to see God work through things in their lives just as He did and continues to do in my life. I look back at my life growing up and see the hand of God all over the place. I can look back and say "God you were in control of my life from birth." How can I say He want be in control of my kids lives. I can and do because I don't believe. It is the constant struggle. It is what I continually war with. The same goes for my wife. She desires stability, so we live a life of transition. Go Figure!

"He is no fool who gives up what he can't keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Jim Elliot