Worse than Christmas Shopping!

“There are two ways of spreading light.

Be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

                                                                                                   Edith Wharton

How do you feel about Christmas shopping? Perhaps you’re a cyber shopper, so it’s not a huge deal. Yet, even for the avid cyber shopper, there are a few items that you still have to venture out to purchase.

  Amanda MacFarlane wrote an article, 5 Reasons Why I Hate Christmas Shopping. She writes: “I am all about cute holiday traditions. However, scrambling to find ‘the perfect gift’ just isn't very cute. It’s become a running joke of mine to say that Christmas shopping is just going to a store, listening to Mariah Carey approximately 2,000 times, and questioning your buying decisions until you start wondering how well you know your loved ones. Call me a Grinch, but for ‘the most wonderful time of the year,’ Christmas has a big flaw called gift giving. I could give you a list as long as Santa’s filled with reasons why I dread this holiday tradition every year, but here’s the big five.” 
  1. It’s expensive. 2. It’s time consuming. 3. I never know what to gift people. 4. I never know how much to gift people, and 5. No matter how well-organized you are, there will always be a last minute gift to buy.

  I love her conclusion: “Here’s a bedtime story for you: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, because everyone was at Macy’s frantically getting a gift for their cousin Steve…” What I should be doing on Christmas Eve is sitting by a fireplace drinking hot cocoa, not being told that the store will close in 15 minutes over the loudspeaker.”

  Do you know what’s worse, a whole lot worse, than being a Christmas shopper? Being a clerk at a store waiting on Christmas shoppers. Most of them are working long hours. Many stores open early in the morning and then are open until midnight. Some are open 24 hours during the holidays.

  Put yourself on the other side of that counter for a moment. These employees are tired. Their customers are tired. The children of their customers are tired. Then, there are always those extra special blessings – Mr. Grinch and Mrs. Scrooge – who are unhappy and committed “missionaries of misery” who feel it is their mission in life to make everyone around them miserable, too.

  Are you like me? I appreciate it when clerks wear name tags so that I can engage them in conversation by their name. Not too long ago I was at Sam’s Club. The clerk who waited on me looked like she was carrying the weight of the world. As she waited on me, I asked “Chris, how’s your day going?” Her response caused me to almost audibly gasp, “I’m just so depressed.” I quickly responded as she was called away to help another customer, “I’m a minister. I’ll pray for you, Chris.” That encounter weighed heavily on my heart all night. Even now it brings tears to my eyes.

  One of my favorite parts of Christmas are Christmas lights! When our children were small, we’d drive around looking at lights (we still do). I love Christmas lights! During this hectic, frenetic, even insane Christmas season – can I challenge you with something? Bring the light!

  Isn’t that what the Lord Jesus did as He entered space and time that first Christmas? Our Lord brought light to a dark world. Later, in His adult life, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

  But it doesn’t end there. If you’re a Christ-follower, then you are to light your world. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16: “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.”

  I had a bring the light moment recently. It was in a hospital room but Jesus was there – and I was the one who had His light shared with me. Recently, our church’s now “retired” secretary, Patti Hall, had to be hospitalized. I popped up to pray with her and encourage her BUT I was the one encouraged…and Patti consistently does that for others. As I entered the room, Patti’s kindness, though she was the patient, with her nurse was so touching. If she hadn’t been lying flat on her back with tubes running out of her arm, I’d have thought that we were visiting in her family room. I went to encourage her and be a blessing to her, but I was the one who was encouraged and blessed by her! That’s what Christians are commanded to do. You and I are to leave every place we go a little brighter because we brought His light with us.

  Have you ever noticed that light shines brightest where it’s darkest? It doesn’t take a lot. Sometimes we shine when we simply restrain ourselves. Someone cuts us off in traffic or nearly runs us over with their shopping cart, perhaps they inadvertently cut in front of us at the check-out line, or it’s a new cashier that’s frazzled and having a hard time keeping up.

  Instead of complaining or giving them a piece of our mind, ask God for His peace and power to control your tongue and attitude. Then, notice the clerk’s name, use it and have a short encouraging conversation. Maybe bring some perspective that this is all temporary or add humor.

  If you have to take something back or if the store is out of an item, be gracious. Mistakes happen. It’s doubtful, too, that the one waiting on you is the one who made the blunder. Be kind even when there’s an error.

  If you have children, try to not take them out when they’re tired or hungry. Pay attention to them so they’re not running around, bothering other shoppers or store employees.

  And if a clerk gives you good service, make sure that you tell a manager or head cashier. Post it on the store’s Facebook wall or send them an email. Most easily complain. Few take the time to compliment.

  The Lord Jesus came as the light of the world. As His followers, let’s bring His light and spread it around this Christmas with those who may need it the most!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

The “Other” Message in Christmas Movies

“Look for Christ and you will find Him. 

And with Him everything else.”

C. S. Lewis

  So, what’s your favorite Christmas movie? There are some wonderful ones. There are also some horrible ones but no one will deny that there are lots of them. Essentially, all of December is filled with Christmas movies but then it comes to a screeching halt on December 26^th.

  Though I don’t want to read something in to Christmas movies that are not there, as I was mulling this over, I do think that there’s more of a redemptive element in many of these classics than perhaps we’ve noticed, elements of the real Christmas story are there even by those who may have never intended to put them there. For example…

  We’re all sinners and really messed up. I love Home Alone, but is there any character that you’d want to be “home alone” with in that movie? They have a huge, beautiful house but they’re mean, cruel and vicious to each other. They’d be dubbed dysfunctional. That seems too kind. They illustrate that bucko bucks and a fabulous vacation to Europe won’t transform sinful people into good ones. Miracle on 34^th Street also shows the emptiness of what most consider to be success.

  The difference one person can make. It will be forever debated whether Die Hard is truly a Christmas movie. While John McClain is heroic, he has lots of serious issues and is certainly not an example of how to live. Yet, in spite of that, he’s willing to sacrifice his life and everything else for others. Wonderfully, our Savior who came and entered space and time is truly a hero, a White Knight with no chinks in His armor. Jesus is the perfect, sinless lamb of God who sacrificed Himself for us.

  All of us must be prepared for death. He’s only a snowman but every child is saddened that Frosty’s clock is ticking and he’s headed to his soon demise. Frosty shows us that the seasons of life can’t be stopped. As much as we seek to freeze ourselves in youth, death is imminent for all of us and we need to prepare for our all too soon coming end.

  Unrealistic expectations always leave us empty. Both Christmas Story and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation are about expectations and the frustration of unrealized ones. Clark Griswold wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife and children, as he tries to make sure everything is perfect. But it will never happen and things quickly go awry. His redneck cousin, Eddie and family show up…unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Worse, Clark’s employers renege on the holiday bonus he’s planning on and desperately needs.

  You can’t judge the overall plan on your little piece of information. One of my favorites is White Christmas. Yet, what a comedy of errors and anger that’s a result of misinformation and not having the “big picture.” If we only look at today and this world, we too will become quickly disillusioned and angry. What a wonderful encouragement those words from Isaiah are, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord” (55:8). It also shows how we muck things up when we manipulate and try to force things. Often we attempt to “help” God out only to discover that we’ve created a bigger mess.

  What a dark and different world this would be if Jesus had not come. Christmas doesn’t seem like Christmas unless I’ve watched It’s a Wonderful Life and I spring a leak every time. It’s considered, not just one of the greatest Christmas movies, but one of the greatest films ever made. Frank Capra, the director, confessed that it was his personal favorite among the films he directed. He screened it for his family every Christmas season.

  George Bailey is the classic antihero. After setback after setback, he repeatedly gives up on his dreams to help others. His attempted suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence who shows George all of the lives he’s touched, and how different life in his community would be if he’d never been born.

  Think about that. Our world is so dark and evil now, but what would it be like if Jesus had never come. No churches, orphanages, hospitals. Think of how many organizations, including most Ivy League colleges, were birthed by Christians seeking to serve the Savior. What if Jesus had never come? It’s a very dark concept.  

  Hope and redemption for the seemingly unredeemable. Another longtime favorite is the original Grinch. The theme song nearly makes the movie. He’s a surly character with a heart “two sizes too small” who especially hated Christmas and determines to stop it from ever coming to Whoville. He steals Christmas from the Whos and returns to his mountain,  waiting to hear their sad cry. Instead, the Whos joyously begin to sing Christmas carols, proving that the spirit of Christmas doesn’t depend on material things. The Grinch begins to understand the true meaning of Christmas and his heart grows three sizes. He brings everything back to the Whos and even participates in their holiday feast.

  Christmas movie after Christmas movie repeats the same theme of hope and redemption from A Christmas Carol to Christmas with the Cranks and even Elf. Yet, the fictional tales are nothing compared to the real one. The real Christmas story, the one found in Scripture, is about hope, forgiveness and redemption. As the angel told Joseph, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

  How about you? Has He saved you from your sins? Is your life story His redemption story and the great plan of salvation? Because He came for you, your life can be one of the greatest Christmas stories of all time, too. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

The Scrooge in me...

“Darkness is cheap and Scrooge liked it.”  Charles Dickens

  This year is the 50^th Anniversary of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. For me, he’s one of the ultimate baddies of Christmas. I love to watch the 1966 version. I love the theme song. Until recently, I didn’t realize that Dr. Seuss wrote the lyrics or that it was performed by Tony the Tiger. Okay, it was Thurl Ravenscroft…who is best known as the voice of Tony the Tiger.

  But my all-time favorite Christmas baddie is Ebenezer Scrooge. A few times I’ve been fortunate to see a live performance of Dicken’s classic tale, A Christmas Carol. It’s much more powerful than watching it on TV.

  We all know that Scrooge was stingy. I think he’s a lot more complicated than that and Dickens wanted us to see the horrific ripple effect of his cold heart. Stinginess was merely the fruit of many other vile roots. If we look in the mirror, we’ll unfortunately see more of Scrooge in ourselves than we want to admit. A lack of generosity was merely the fruit. In fact, generosity is the cure and one of the best ways to attack these foul roots. Check it out for yourself. Is there a Scrooge in you? 

  Scrooge was condescending. Somehow of late, condescension has become more acceptable. Yet, although it’s more common, that doesn’t mean it’s any less repugnant. A condescending spirit is arrogance with an ice pick. We are the opinionated culture. We tend to be very opinionated about nearly anything and everything. But it doesn’t stop there. We condescendingly look down on, speak disparagingly of and to – anyone who dares to disagree with us. We act as if we’re the standard of correctness. We’re not. Truth does not begin and end with us.

  About the only thing we can be certain of is that which is revealed in God’s Word. God is Truth (Isaiah 65:16) and His Word, the Bible is truth (John 17:17). Scripture is not subjective or malleable (2 Peter 1:20-21). But virtually everything else is subjective…from what nation or region of that nation is best, to career, food, sports team, educational choice, political party, church, music preference, clothes, car, neighborhood, etc.  

  Though Jesus spoke the truth very passionately, He wasn’t condescending. He often asked questions, rather than rubbing someone’s nose in obvious truth. He was the model of humility and amicableness.

  Scrooge was critical and harsh. Just say, “Bah humbug” and most know you’re imitating Scrooge. He criticized Bob Cratchit for wanting to spend time with his family. He demeaned his nephew, Fred, for enjoying the festivity of Christmas. Pettiness is the national pastime. Think of what you were critical about just recently in your mind, if not with your mouth. But does what you pontificated about even matter? Like Scrooge, the harsh things we say to those closest to us (family, friends, co-workers) hurt. If something doesn’t need to be said, it probably shouldn’t be. Jesus saw the good things others were doing that most missed, like a poor woman dropping two pennies in the offering. He was the model of encouragement. No wonder others thronged to be around Him. Being around Him was so refreshing. Critical individuals though are so draining. Which one are you?

  Scrooge was a workaholic and materialistic. The Bible teaches the value of a work ethic. We’re not to be indolent. But there’s so much more to life than work. No one ever gets to the end of life, regretting that they didn’t work more. Scrooge put in long hours, but for what? In the end, he left it all. Sure, he had nice things but he didn’t enjoy them…and he certainly didn’t share them. It doesn’t take long for that thing we thought we had to have to grow old and stale. Yet, it’s amazing, when we share what God has blessed us with, how much it increases our fulfillment and enjoyment.

  Scrooge was self-absorbed and uncompassionate. Scrooge looked at the poor and those in dire circumstances as a nuisance. What are your thoughts when you see someone dressed a bit shabbily? What about a child that’s unkempt? Or, worse a misbehaving one not being monitored by a parent? Do you think, “What a brat”? What about the person using food stamps in front of you at the grocery store? Are you the judge and jury of their situation? John 4 is a very convicting Bible passage for me. I doubt that I’d have engaged that immoral woman in a compassionate conversation like Jesus did. I wonder how many times I’m an uncompassionate Scrooge and miss an opportunity to be Jesus to someone.

  Scrooge was isolated and miserable. No one wanted to be around him. They only sought him out because they wanted something from him.

  I truly feel sorry for those who are wealthy, famous or powerful. They aren’t certain who their friends actually are. They’re not always certain if their spouse or children love them. Do others truly want to be in their presence or are they looking for a present? If they lost it all, who’d still be there for them? It was the lesson the Prodigal Son learned. He didn’t have friends; he had leeches. Once he’s out of funds, he’s out of friends.

  Yet, a generous person has more friends than they will ever know. Those who are truly generous give without strings, expecting nothing in return.

  I’m always wonderfully surprised when someone who doesn’t love Jesus is gracious and generous. They’re doing something unnatural. Selfishness is the realm of the natural. Scrooge just happened to have the resources to act as many of us would like to, if we thought we could get away with it.  

  As I read the Bible, it’s apparent that it’s very difficult to be stingy and yet be a Christian. It violates everything God is and the Bible teaches. Once you’ve experienced God’s grace, grace you know you’re so undeserving and unworthy of, how can you not be generous? Salvation means you’re a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). It changes our whole worldview.

  It’s easy to talk a lot about your faith, have lots of Bible knowledge, but know so little of God’s grace. Head knowledge without a heart transformation is the Scrooge condition. 

  Are you a generous person? If others knew how much you share of your time and treasure, would they consider you generous? More importantly, does God think you’re generous? Scrooge wonderfully changed. Sadly, that rarely happens. The only way you and I will ever become generous won’t be by turning over a new leaf, it’s by surrendering to a generous God and letting Him change our heart. Are you a Scrooge? Let a generous God give you a new heart. That’s why Jesus came, “to save us from our sins.”

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.

Get ready to be accused of being a Scrooge

“How shall I ever understand this world? There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty, and yet, there is nothing it condemns with such severity as the pursuit of wealth.”  Ebenezer Scrooge

  If you’re going to take a biblical approach toward poverty, be ready to be accused of being a “Scrooge.”  A biblical worldview isn’t PC. To many, it appears cold and heartless…Scrooge-ish. During the Christmas Season, there are countless appeals to help the less fortunate. This past week my mailbox was filled with appeals for “Giving Tuesday.”

  As Christians, we’re commanded in Scripture to care for the poor and hurting, particularly the widow and fatherless. Yet, because most of the requests are packaged emotionally rather than rationally (and rarely biblically) without working through many of the variables, the bigger questions often are never asked, much less answered: Is this help truly helping? Is this wise stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to me? Am I assisting or am I enabling?

  Neither the questions or answers are simple. Nor is there “a one size fits all” solution. Each situation usually must be individually considered and evaluated. To develop and apply a biblical worldview requires wisdom and the investment of careful evaluation before there’s a financial investment. As believers, we’re stewards with limited resources. We’re to be wise with what our Heavenly Father has entrusted to us. Some day each of us will give account for how we invested His money.

  To apply a biblical worldview in this area, that’s theologically driven and includes personal responsibility of the recipients, is pariah to many, particularly those who are emotively driven. Put a cute child’s picture with big imploring eyes in front of us and we’re grabbing our wallets. Yet, because these problems are increasingly complex, our approach is going to potentially need to be a lifelong work in progress. Let me suggest though…

  Before you give, do some research on the organization you’re considering donating to. For example, I don’t give to Goodwill. The “Goodwill Mission” appears to me to be to pay local CEOs like they’re royalty. I have a hard time giving to an organization that’s supposed to help the poor where the CEO is paid extravagantly (salaries in a nearly seven figure range). People donate believing they’re giving to help the needy, not pay huge salaries. Also, look for organizations who actually direct the bulk of funds to the cause you believe you’re donating to. Many spend more on fundraising and administration than on people or the cause they’re purportedly seeking to help.

  As I read Scripture and what it says about helping the poor, the emphasis is on assisting what’s known as the “working poor.” Contemporary social handwringers would dub the Apostle Paul a Grinch for his instructions regarding the poor: “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness…For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 10). Under the Mosaic Law provisions were made for the poor but it wasn’t a handout. The edges of the fields were to be left so the poor could glean the remnants of the harvest. We find a beautiful account of that in the Old Testament book of Ruth. Biblically, then our responsibility is to help those who are the working poor. When we help those seeking to help themselves, many of them with our assistance and encouragement will leave that designation, ultimately becoming independent and contributors to others in need. The Bible also teaches that we’re to let natural consequences of indolence motivate people to change.

  The Bible teaches that our first priority, after our biological family, is to help our spiritual family. Galatians 6:11, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” That’s why at Grace we have a Deacon Care Fund. Because there are enough needs within our church and because we don’t want to enable those who know how to manipulate the system, we rarely help those outside of our church. To be candid, we just don’t know them.

  Let me share just one example of why we take this approach. We had a woman stop by the church a few years back looking for cash to buy her baby asthma medicine. We wouldn’t give her money but offered to meet her at the pharmacy to pay for the prescription. We went there but then she never showed. Later, she was arrested for fraud. It’s easier to help those in our church and fellow believers. We know them and their circumstances.

  What though is often misunderstood is what it means to be truly “poor.” Most Americans have no concept of true poverty. Most have never gone without a meal because there was no food. You’ll find that many who consider themselves poor have cable, Internet, Netflix, multiple cell phones and cars, smoke, drink and often use illicit drugs. Poor is not all that poor in America. And to suggest that those are not necessities is considered cold and gauche. Add to that, frequently they’re cohabiting yet expect others to underwrite the costs of their children. So not only have we lost the War on Poverty, the “army” of the impoverished continues to exponentially grow.

  One of the greatest problems is that there’s little incentive to work in our current system. Obviously, the issue is far too complicated to work through in this short space. In fact, bettering yourself is discouraged. Under our current system, if you begin to work, make money, you then lose your government assistance funds. That’s just stupid! Yet, I see well meaning charities essentially doing the same thing. Rather than having a graduated scholarship program to help clients develop financial independence, they continue to give them money if the funds are available.

  Yes, we’re to help those who are truly needy (and not just at Christmas). We are to have generous hearts but must do it in a way that lines up with Scripture. The line between helping and enabling is often a fine one. God probably has brought needy folk into your life that you can be Jesus too.

  We must never forget though that the greatest need of everyone, rich or poor, is to accept the Gospel, to personally accept God’s great gift of salvation. What real good have we done if we help someone out of poverty, yet they exit this life spiritually poor into a Christless eternity?