Monday, November 17, 2014

Snow Dust and Joy (speaking of which)

I cannot recall a time that the Dallas area has seen snow in November, though I am certain our history has known it. It's just that it is rare, and my memory (albeit romantically suspect) is not immediately aware. But that is what I awakened to today - a dusting of snow on my roof and lawn - becoming the determining factor that my home, too, would join the other 'earlies' in turning the radio to Christmas - and Belinda is celebrating!

Speaking of which (or whom), Belinda was gone this past weekend. She was on a "Spark Ministry" Mission trip http://www.sparkministry.org, leaving me to brave the cold alone. I was fine for the most part, though I did miss her, finding myself - for the first time in weeks - facing a weekend without a wedding by keeping busy with Hospital visits, calls and sermon prep. So much of my time was by the fireplace, with pen and computer in hand, and taking to the joy of catching up on actually 'listening' to the God I serve.

Speaking of which (and weddings), this has certainly been my year to perform them. The calendar shows that since the middle of August I have performed 9 weddings. In the month of October there was not one weekend I was not performing at least one, and this has been one wonderful stretch of ministry for me as I do enjoy these so. As I think about this there is no happier time for a pastor to serve a family, and I consider it a great blessing to have officiated over 600 of these over the last 30 years. And... guess what? My calendar shows I have at least one more before year-end. It is for Katie, a beautiful young woman who grew up in our church, so I am certain this will be as joyous as all the others have been. For, after all, it only takes a 'dusting' of joy, like today's snow, to change one's radio station. (Phil 4:8) Amen? Amen!

Blessings,

Pastor Sam

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Election Day - 2014

Dr. Jim Denison writes in his 'Forum on Truth and Culture ' today http://www.denisonforum.org/cultural-commentary regarding apathy, or one might say pessimism and 'checking out,' of Americans in their political process.  Alarmingly, I find this to be true even among church members, who, painfully, are often little more than 'christianized' (lower c) versions of the culture they inhabit.

But hear me - Jesus did not call us to apathy regarding any of life's issues - neither the gospel nor our politics. Instead, He has called us to be as salt and light - so that every decision we make and action we take might be with the intention of making Him known.  

Some would argue that a "Christian vote' must 'always' be for one party or platform - the party or platform supporting all conservative issues, for instance.  But, I would argue that Jesus may be less concerned with our issues than we. What matters to our Christ, who died on the cross for our sins, is that we who know Him are lending due diligence to the charge He's given - the gospel. And this may be done even while standing in a polling line.

In America we've been given such privilege, and by choosing not to vote we miss an opportunity to bear witness to our calling of presenting Christ as we tender our privilege and responsibility as citizens of honor. In short, rendering to Caesar that which is Caesar's is more than just paying taxes, it is modeling our good citizenship before all of God's people, so that all may know that a Christ-servant is, in the least and for the best, a servant of all.

In the end our hope must be to realize what matters most - that sharing the gospel of Christ is of utmost importance, not winning or losing an election. And, that by participating in all of life excellently, with 'Christ-skin' on, we might utilize our most effective voice.

Jesus said, 'if I be lifted up I will draw all me unto me,' which is both a theological truth and a practical reality. Christ was lifted onto a cross to become our way of salvation, and... as we lift Him up in everyday citizenship people still see Him - even when standing in line at the polls.

Blessed Voting,


Pastor Sam