NOT Another Christmas Blog

Its Christmas Eve and DFW is enjoying a rare white Christmas. With the entire family here and snow falling, Pam is more excited about Christmas than I have seen her in a long time. It feels really good to be home.

Between the anticipated church move in January, a crazy busy schedule and numerous accounts of Jesus showing up just on time, it is impossible to find words to express exactly how I feel today. I am incredibly proud of how our Church Staff and our Church Family has been able to stay focused on the work of God in the midst of chaos and, in many cases, personal crisis. I am looking forward to the Christmas Eve service tonight, and can already feel God's peace resting on me.

At this time of year there are so many things I could talk about in this blog. It is Christmas after all. A time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. A time to stand in wonder of the amazing God we serve. So, forgive me if the rest of this blog is not all that, well, "Christmasy."

I was listening to a show on Christian radio recently where the topic was whether the Church, and particularly the evangelical Church, is in decline because for too many Christians faith is based mostly on emotion. If you know me at all, you know I feel strongly that our relationship with God should be powerful on an emotional level -- Jesus said we are to love the Lord our God with all our mind, heart, soul and strength. So, I don't think we can love God with our heart too much. There is a question in my mind, however, whether too many Christians give God less than their all in the mind department.

(This is where I start to get preachy, so if you just want to relax and enjoy your Christmas this is the time to stop reading.)

I don't think I will get any disagreement with the idea that, as Christians, we need to KNOW GOD'S WORD. In fact, in today's American culture I believe it is more important now than it has ever been to know and understand the Bible.

A recent study concluded that more and more Americans, including many people who identify themselves as Christians, adopt a "mix and match" view of religion. What I mean by that is some Christians have been deceived into thinking that there are many ways to "truth" and that they can simply draw from various religions and philosophies and come up with a custom made faith that meets their particular needs.

When others were running from Jesus and Peter was asked if he would leave too, Peter responded: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68. We may live in a society that wants there to be multiple ways but, like it or not, Peter was right 2000 years ago and his answer is still right today.

Of course, Jesus is no longer with us in the flesh. He has, however, left with us at least two things that are essential to our journey: the Holy Spirit and the very words of eternal life. Those words are called the Bible. So, the question I would like you to ask yourself on this Christmas Eve is this: "Do I honor God by taking full advantage of this gift called the Bible?" If the answer to that question is "no," maybe Christmas is the perfect time to open up this precious gift and see what God has to say.

I can say without hesitation that discipleship is a huge priority for everyone on the pastoral staff at Heartland Church. We have spent a great deal of time in recent weeks thinking about classes we want to offer in 2010 and the need for discipleship generally. But while classes and Bible studies are always good, nothing can replace each of us spending personal time in the study of God's word and in prayer. Let's spend a little time with the words of eternal life this Christmas.

Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas!!!!! I hope God blesses you during this wonderful time of year. Now, go in peace, serve the Lord.