Advent Conspiracy

24

I’m a 24 fan. I couldn’t wait for the new season to start last Sunday, but I wasn’t prepared for the splash of reality that the show presented.

Usually, 24 is so “Double-O-Seven-ish” that it’s more cartoonish than anything. This season’s opener, however, surfaced some moral issues that are all too real. . . perhaps too real for us to want to face.

If you want to find out more be sure to check out World Vision’s website here.

Divine Appointment

I was pretty frustrated today.

Today was the day my daughter’s and I were supposed to decorate D-Town. Each year, about one hundred people hang the city’s Christmas decorations along Corpus Christi’s downtown streets. It’s fun to meet new people, work with friends, and contribute to our community.

But we didn’t get to do it this year.

Instead, late last night an employee called to say something had happened and no one was available to open Keva in the morning. So, guess who got to fill-in. . . me!

The drizzly, cold (by south Texas standards) day meant there were few customers; only 4 in the first 2 hours. I was wasting my time. . . until “Stan” came in.

Stan is a semi-regular customer. “How’s it going today, Stan?”

“Oh, okay, I guess.”

“That doesn’t sound to convincing,” I said.

“Oh, my girlfriend and I are having some trouble. . . . What do you have that will help with a bad hangover?” Stan asked.

As I mixed his smoothie, Stan went to the restroom, where he spent way too much time. I had images of him being sick all over the store’s restroom, or worse, him attempting suicide at Keva Juice. I could just read those headlines!!!

Eventually, though, he came out and we began to talk. We talked about how demanding his girlfriend was. We talked about how the bouncer threw him out of the bar last night because he was out of control. We talked about how people misjudged him because of his shaved head, tattoos, gold chains, torn jeans, and “wife-beater” undershirts.

All the while, I kept wondering and praying. Would there come a time to mention God? If so, how should I do it? Do I tell Stan I’m an occasional preacher in my other life? (I hate doing that. When people hear I work for a church their walls immediately go up). Then Stan said something almost in passing that caught my attention, “I’ve always believed God has something more for me than this.”

The door was wide open. I didn’t have to force the conversation; Stan made it easy. He was a seeker in the true sense. He was looking for something more from life and “somehow,” through some “quirk” of “circumstances” he knew God had something to do with it. “Somehow,” through some “quirk” of “circumstances” God brought Stan and I together at this very moment.

In his book, Wild Goose Chase, Mark Batterson imagines that in heaven there is a group of angels whose job it is to arrange divine appointments. If so, their conversation must have sounded something like this:

Ok, how can we bring Dan and Stan together? Stan is 23 and Dan is 43. Stan is a mechanic and Dan is a preacher and business owner. Stan is single; Dan is married with kids. They don’t know any of the same people, live in the same neighborhood, or share anything else in common. . . . Why don’t we set it up so that on November 21, 2008 Stan and his girlfriend have a fight. This will cause Stan to spend time with his friends at a bar. He’ll drink too much, get thrown out, and end up with a wicked hangover. While that’s going on, we’ll mess with Dan’s employee’s schedule so she can’t work the next morning. We’ll make sure his other employees can’t fill-in for her so he’ll have to work. Then, on the morning of December 22, 2008, we’ll cause Stan to want a smoothie to help ease his hangover. Oh, yeah, let’s make sure the weather is damp and cool so there won’t be any other customers in the store so they can talk uninterrupted.

The divine appointment had been set. The arrangements had been made before time began. The angels were watching.

Sure, I had to say, “Mmm, Stan, you know that thing you said a minute ago about God? Let’s talk about that some more.” Sure, I had to encourage the conversation in the right direction; but Stan, the angels, and God had already done the hard work. All I had to do was step through the door that was opened for me.

Eventually, someone did come in the store. Our conversation ended and Stan left. But before he left he shook my hand. He said thanks and said he wanted to continue our conversation sometime soon.

I don’t know what will happen. I may never see Stan again or we may become best of friends. Tonight I’m praying for him. I’m praying that those angels have already arranged another divine appointment for Stan and me or for Stan and someone else who can pick up where I left off.

I’m not frustrated anymore.

Bubble Creek Canyon

This is hilarious! I’m not sure what I like best; the “you do right or I might smite” sign, or the “Christian Liquor Store,” or “ESPrayN”.

The really sad thing is that I know people who think this would be cool.

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day. A day set aside to remember the end of WWI (the Germans signed the armistice at 11 o’clock, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month) and to honor all the men and women who have served this country in times of war.

I am humbled to think about the sacrifices that others have made so that I can experience freedom. Freedom is not always easy–especially when I don’t approve of how some express their freedom–but many have fought and died to give us this freedom.

Today, however, it occurred to me that there are no veterans in the Kingdom of God. No armistice has been signed between God and his enemy. No soldiers have returned from a foreign war. The battle between good and evi stilll rages.

One day we will celebrate our victory; but until that time comes we must keep fighting. As winston Churchill once said, “Never give up. Never give up! Never give up!”

Politics

Just read this great article about Chrisitans and politics. I loved it so much that I thought I’d share it with you.

First Word: Leading the Charge

Posted on September 16, 2008
Filed Under Cameron Strang |

| Reprinted from the Sept./Oct. issue of RELEVANT
For more politics coverage, visit our politics page

Let’s get this out of the way up front: I’m not a politically motivated person. Which is why I felt a tad out of place meeting with Barack Obama this summer. And talking to John McCain. And doing countless interviews about the faith and shifting political views of our generation.

Yet I have unwittingly found myself thrust into the political arena, a place where people are vehemently passionate about their ideologies and platforms. It’s an entire industry built around being right and proving your opponent wrong, and winning at any cost. It’s a continual power struggle and—from my humble vantage point—seems a bit flawed.

I’m someone who tries to think independently and objectively, rather than simply follow what the pundits tell me to think. Because of that, I’ve realized I cannot fully embrace either political party. Both sides of the aisle have some great ideas and goals. But both also have areas where they simply get it wrong.

I know the power of politics and the importance of the process in our world. But I also know that, historically, real, lasting change has started first at the grassroots level long before it was ever legislated. Cultural mindshifts influence Washington, not the other way around.
Many Christians traditionally have voted Republican because of their justifiable conviction to protect the lives of the unborn. Now, many younger Christians are voting Democrat because of their justifiable desire to see our nation, the most prosperous in the world, address issues of poverty, global aid and the environment.

The problem is, many Christians vote these convictions, but that’s largely where their personal involvement in the issues stops. Are the government leaders we vote for meant to do our job for us?

If God has given you a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or to promote peace, or to help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward of the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that—whether or not the President shares your same values.

The Bible reminds us to pray for our leaders, but it also talks about praying for those who persecute us. Though I can’t foresee any situation where this would be the case, what if one day every value Christians stand for, even religious freedom itself, was legislatively removed? Christians in China and many other parts of the world face this reality every day. Would it change us?

Dare I say, it might actually spur the Body of Christ here into greater action. Could it be that the loss of religious freedoms would ultimately be the best thing for American Christians because it would cause us to stand on our own feet rather than relying on the government to legislate our faith and values for us?

I’ve heard that only 5 percent of people who attend church regularly actually serve in any way. I’ve read that if every Christian in America actually tithed 10 percent of their income, we would have enough financial resources to wipe out global poverty.

There’s more power lying dormant in pews around the nation than any government could hope to provide, and that’s where our focus should be.

Many Christians want to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I don’t hear nearly as many leading the charge on a national adoption movement. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, where are all of those babies going to end up? Christians should be focused on personal action regardless of legislation, not just waiting for the right number of Supreme Court justices to come along.

I’m not saying don’t vote. Do. Vote your convictions and let your voice be heard—that’s one of the perks of living in a democracy. But don’t let politics breed division, or make you see people in a different light.

If you have a passion for an issue, rather than judging someone who doesn’t share that passion or viewpoint, just go do something about it. Give your life to it. Be the change you want to see.

We need to pray for our leaders and our country, but always remember that our leaders and country do not define us. We are the generation that will shape the direction culture, government and social action will take in the next 50 years. It’s not up to Washington, it’s up to us—and I say it’s time we step up and lead the charge.

But that means with our lives, our finances and our actions every day. Not just Nov. 4.

Force or Field

I just ran across this video on Tim Steven’s blog, Leading Smart.

In the video, Mark Beeson describes two ways of viewing the church. The church is either a Force or a Field.

Watch the video and then let me know which you think CPC is, and why.

Red Cross

One of the opportunities we have for serving the world is to team up with the American Red Cross. The Red Cross serves in countless emergencies ranging from war, to hurricanes, to single-family fires. They train people in CPR, first aid, disaster assessment, and much more.

Wouldn’t it be great if most of CPC was trained in CPR? Can you imagine the positive impact in our community if a Christ Point member saves someone’s life because of training they received through this church?

What kind of impact would it have on a family that lost everything in a fire if we were able to help them? Through the Red Cross we could have immediate access to the family and know first-hand what needs they may have.

Now, it is true, that while you’re wearing the “red vest” you can’t “witness”. But isn’t just being there a form of “witness”? And what about when you take the vest off? You can talk indepth with people you built relationships with whle wearing the vest. And what about the other volunteers? How many conversations could you have with the people whom you’re working side-by-side? I imagine a conversation going something like this:

You: “So, how did you get started volunteering for the Red Cross?”

Volunteer: “You know, I’ve been successful in my career and I just felt like it was time I gave something back. . . . What about you? Why do you do this?”

You: “Me? I do this because of what Jesus has done for me.”

Wow! What an opportunity.

The Red Cross will get us into places and situations where we may not otherwise be able to minister.

Jesus once told a parable about a man he called a “dishonest rascal” (New Living Tranlsation) because the guy acted shrewdly to get his way. Jesus applied his teaching by saying, “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:8).

I view the Red Cross as a way to shrewdly use the things of this world to accomplish the things of the kingdom.

Stairs

We’ve got another opportunity to connect with God and the world this weekend by returning to Surfside Beach. 

The city has asked us to work with the homes of their elderly citizens. Most (but not all) homes in Surfside are on stilts and were somewhat saved from the title surge. But the stairs leading to these homes were destroyed. We need to rebuild those stairs so people can return home. We also will replace siding, repair roofs, and unboard windows. There also may be some debris to remove. Basically, there is work for everyone and anyone who wants to go and can withstand the heat. 

Here are some details to know:

1. We’ll leave CPC parking lot at 6:00 AM Saturday.
2. We’ll return around 10:00ish Saturday night.
3. The Red Cross will provide us lunch.
4. You’ll be responsible for buying your dinner on the way home.
5. Bring work gloves, mosquito repellent, a hat, sunscreen, and a change of clothes for the return trip (that last one is not necessary, but your fellow passengers might appreciate it!)
6. Bring tools such as hammers and saws if you have them. A chain saw or two would be helpful.
7. Call the church office (992-4567) or email me (dan@christpointchurch.com) to let me know you’re coming so we can arrange transportation.

This is a one-day trip. To come means you take one day from your already over-crowded schedule. But that one day may make a huge difference in the lives of a few people.

Nice Feet

Guess who was the first person to get hurt?

Yep. It was me.

I stepped on a nail. It went straight through my shoe and sunk into my foot.

The volunteer Fire Department/EMT was across the street so I hobbled over to let them take a look. As I sat on the back of the ambulance the tech held up my foot so the doc could look at it. She said to the doctor, “Look at that toe!”

The doctor said, “I know. He’s got nice feet.”

No one has ever said that to me — especially a guy.

Interesting.