Sometimes, late at night, I would go downstairs and light the tree. I would lay on the sofa and just take in the the beauty of the tree, and admire my handiwork as well. This became a special holiday tradition for me, and I still make time to sit in the living room with the lights off, admire the beauty of the tree (now decorated by our children), and savor the wonder of the season.

It is true that there is something magical about Christmas. The smells of holiday baking, the pine and poinsettias, even the twinkle lights are all reminders that there is something special about this time of year. Whether it is driving around town looking at holiday displays or sitting quietly by the tree, there is wonder to be found if we are willing to look.

Jesus often encouraged those around him to have eyes to see and ears to hear, and oh, how we need them. Sometimes, the very thing we are trying to celebrate gets lost in the celebration.

I remember hearing the story of a child who was praying aloud with his family. As they listened in, he offered up his concerns for them and the world and then closed with the Lord’s Prayer, just as they did at church each year. He was going well until he offered up the words, “and forgive us our Christmases as we forgive those who Christmas against us.”

We smile and laugh at moments like that, but there is much truth in that young child’s mistake. Our Christmas celebrations can completely miss the peace on earth the angels declared as we clamor for more and more, reducing the season to the gifts and expense. Without time to slow down, we can miss what we need most.

There is a special blessing that comes from slowing down, looking at the Christmas lights and decorations, and pondering the real message of Christmas. Hidden in all of our hurry is the good news that God loves us and that God was willing to become like us so that we could know him more and that we could find in him, the life and peace that we so desperately need. As we pause for this Christmas meditation, we can find the the real, truly beautiful decorations of the season: love, joy, peace, hope and life.

To pass through this season without experiencing the wonder and life it brings will be much worse that the wrong present under the tree. This is God’s present to us. May we receive it, celebrate it, and share it.

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Too often we wait for special events to appreciate the blessings of our lives, yet every day gives us many reasons to give thanks. Even when we face pain and challenges, there are blessings in our lives, we may just need to look a little deeper.

Yesterday, one of the senior members of our congregation went to be with her Savior. As I spoke with her daughter, I was struck by the mixture of emotions. There were tears and expressions of grief, and there was laughter mingled with treasured memories. Even as we made plans, there was a sense of trust in God and the faith that sustained them this far.

A thankful spirit does not deny the reality of pain, suffering and injustice. Instead, it faces such knowledge with the awareness that there is a richness in the moment that we cannot see with just a surface glance. It is when we allow the Spirit to open our eyes to the deeper thing of our lives that we can recognize more of our blessings.

So, today, as you enjoy dinner with family; as you cook, travel and rest, let God guide you to celebrate all your blessings. Celebrate life, health and family. Rejoice in beauty, miracles and wonder. Give thanks for your blessings and the many opportunities you have to be a blessing to others. Remember those people who give of their life to make your life better, and those people of the past who gave to make today possible. Bless God for God’s presence in your life, for the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and the love and power of the Holy Spirit.

As you make time to look deeply, celebrate the blessings and build upon them to make life sing. Find strength in the knowledge of what God has done and is doing in your life. Share your blessings with others and encourage one another on the way. You are blessed, loved, and special to God, and that is reason to be thankful.

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When the Bible refers to “saints” it is clearly a reference to all Christian believers. There is no use of the word in scripture that suggests a specific person or group of people set apart within the faith community. The early church however, chose to use the word as a way of identifying those whose lives reflected the life of Christ and the best of Christian teaching. It was a way to lift up good examples of the faith so that people could know what Christian faithfulness looked like.

There is a lot of debate about how the church should embrace the theology of saints in our day, but the idea of looking for great examples of the faith is certainly a good one. As I continue to think about ways to better organize my life and make time for everything that matters, I am drawn to those people in my life whose lives demonstrate virtues, values and actions that I can replicate to make my life better.

I think of my grandfather who clearly understood that all of life was lived in connection to Jesus Christ and that even the most mundane acts could be expressions of faith. I think of a former parishioner who served as a missionary for many years and whose life reflected a profound ability to trust God even when circumstances seemed insurmountable and resources unavailable. I think of my wife who patiently offers her best in all of the details of life letting her family know they are loved by the attention to the multitude of “little things,” all the while, sharing the love and joy of her faith.

These and so many others including, my mother, family, teachers, colleagues, friends and countless other people in my life, are sources of inspiration for my Christian faith and examples for ways to face difficult challenges. They are “saints” for me, who point the way to successfully navigating the waters of life in the light of Jesus Christ. But, I am not the only one with such saints. All of us have people who, as gifts of God, bless our lives. They illustrate by practice, what God teaches us through the Word and the Spirit.

Who are your saints? What do they teach you about successful Christian living? How can their example strengthen you when you are week and direct you when you are lost? Take time to appreciate these gifts of God in your life and learn from them the lessons they have learned from God.

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As the bride and groom stood before the pastor, they shared personal words as well as the traditional vows. They shared their hearts openly, gave themselves willingly and received each other joyfully. The words, the actions and the attitudes were all powerful, but they were clearly the result of a long journey together. This was not the act of two people who just met each other, but was an expression of the life they shared together to get to this point, and their intention to continue together on the path.

Relationships develop. They take time and energy to build. Lasting, meaningful relationships require a significant investment. There are no cheap shortcuts, no magical methods. There is only the commitment to embrace each other and face life together. Serious relationships cost us something. The more important they are, the more they demand of us.

This is not only true of marriages and families, but it is especially true in our walk with God. A meaningful relationship with God does not come from an occasional visit or a little effort. That is the definition of dating. A real relationship with Christ, one with depth and significance is forged with deep commitment and shared experiences. It is built out of a passionate desire to be together, to love each other, and is the culmination of multitudes of moments, big and small, shared with one another. Walking through challenges and valleys with Jesus draws us closer to him. Facing new possibilities that stretch us inspires deeper trust in his provisions. Even, maybe even especially, the accumulation of the mundane moments that make up every day life, when shared with our Savior, become a shaping influence on our relationship.

Real relationships cost us, but they are worth the cost. During the service, I took my wife’s hand. I thought about how thankful I was to be there with her and how blessed I am to be her husband. I know our relationship has required a big investment from both of us over the past 26 years, but it is worth it. There is no one who knows me like she does and no one I know like I know her, and no one I would rather be with at a wedding, on a date, or simply sitting with in the family room. Our friends will face big investments too, but it will be worth it for them as well, just as it was for us. It is that way for each of us in our relationship with God as well.

As we worship today, we give ourselves to God. We pour out our lives believing that God will pour his life into us. The relationship we share cost Christ everything, yet he believed it was worth it. It is worth it for us to do the same. May today be a day of new beginnings in the depth and meaning of our relationship with him, as we celebrate where we’ve been together and where we are going.

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I’ve spoken to a number of men who shared how they waited until they were in their 50’s or older before hearing their fathers say they were proud of them. Many never heard those words at all. I can only imagine the similarities that exist for women. All of us need that affirmation.

I remember how, shortly after we adopted our children, we would occasionally be asked, “do you love us as much as if we were your own children?”

“You are our own children,” we would respond.

“You know what we mean,” they would say, “do you love us the same as if we were born to you?”

You can hear in those heartfelt words the deep question, “are we wanted and loved? Do we really belong?” To that deep and meaningful question we would answer, “Yes, we love you the same, maybe even more, because we chose you.”

Our children did not come to us by biology, they came by choice. We wanted them to be our children and for us to be their parents. We loved them and wanted to share our lives with them. There was no question in our minds they were wanted. We did whatever it took, met every requirement to have them become our family.

In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he reminds his readers that God, “chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world… He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (1:4-5)

God chose us. God wants us. Even before the world was formed, God desired and chose us to be in relationship with him. It was God’s pleasure, desire and will for us to be adopted into God’s family. We matter. We have value. We belong. If you asked God if you are loved, you would hear the words, “of course, that is why I chose you.”

There has never been a day when my wife and I regretted our decision. In fact, it is one of the best decisions we ever made, right up there with our decision to follow Christ and our decision to marry one another. Our family has its challenges like all families, but there was never any doubt that we loved our children, that they were precious, and that they were wanted.

Likwise, there is no doubt that God loves us. We too, are precious in his sight and we are wanted. It was God’s plan from the very beginning to include us in the family and to share the work of ministry together. When the King of kings and Lord of Lords, the Creator of the ends of the earth declares that from the beginning of time you were wanted, you can be sure you are valuable.

We need to be reminded how much God loves and desires us. We should rejoice in the amazing passion of God to share life in relationship with us, and then, we should go to share that good news with others. The people we meet every day need to know God loves them, that God was, and is willing to do all that is necessary to have a relationship with them. We need to tell the waitress that is working too hard, the single parent trying to hold it together, the person who feels abandoned and everyone like them, that God chose them from the beginning.

Be blessed in the knowledge of how greatly you are loved, may you be a blessing as you share that love, brought through Jesus Christ, as broadly as you can.

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Too often, we reduce our Sunday morning Worship Service to something that resembles a play or a concert. We go to observe and listen; to sit in our seats and have the drama of the service unfold before us. We may share a concern, offer our tithe and sing the praise songs and hymns, but do we come with an expectation that something great is going to happen?

Even as the pastor, there have been times when I’ve come to worship expecting very little (thankfully, not as often now). For many people, church services have become, well, boring. Nothing unexpected happens, and nothing really significant is expected. It is easy to go through the motions and miss the meaning, but when we begin to realize what worship is, it can transform our experience.

In Luke 19:46, Jesus makes the simple, yet stunning declaration, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” This statement is nestled in Jesus’ rebuke of the money changers at the temple. The drama of Jesus’ anger and his overturning of their tables is so interesting, that we miss these important words. Jesus is not just condemning their behavior, he is challenging his listeners to understand the importance of worship and prayer.

The temple was not a place to make a profit on people’s needs, nor was is merely a place for dutiful attendance. It was a place of prayer, a place of communion with God. It was a place to encounter the Holy and be made holy by the experience. It was an experience of transformation that would lead to the transformations of families, cities, and nations. It was a place of prayer for, “all nations.” The same is true for our churches today.

When we gather together, it is not just to see our friends, sing our favorite songs and feel better about ourselves when we leave. Rather, we gather to encounter the dynamic presence of God, who challenges and encourages us to be who we are meant to be in Christ. We come to be changed and made new, so that we can go forth to do the same in the world. Most importantly, we come before the throne of Grace to carry the needs and concerns of our of our families, our communities, and the world to God. In intercession, we ask God to move in our world and to put things right, to make the kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Maybe today is a good day let go of our expectations of the common, the ordinary, the boring, and embrace the awesome plans of God for us and for the world. Just imagine the possibilities.

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I remember when there was no instant messaging, texting, or email. It was a time when a letter could arrive on my desk, sit for a day or two before a read it, be mailed by the end of the week and I was considered prompt. Now, I occasionally get phone calls in the early afternoon wondering why I did not respond to the email sent to me at 11:00 a.m. that morning. People with crises message me on Facebook and are shocked that I am not constantly aware of what is happening there. It is a different world.

Don’t get me wrong, I love technology. We live in an exciting time full of possibilities others could only dream of. My productivity is greatly enhanced by the ease and accessibility of my iPad and computers and I find great pleasure in reading ebooks on my reader. I just recognize that there are times it is good to unplug.

As the effects of a busy Easter season, vacation, and a myriad of work and family obligations made there impact on my life, it became obvious that I needed time, time away from busyness to refresh and offer my best to my family and the ministry. I chose to unplug and seek some renewal. I thank all you, my followers, for your patience during this season. My family and church thank you too. As a result of the time away, I feel more energized in my relationships, my ministry and my writing. I look forward to sharing this experience with you.

As I return to my regular posts, let me encourage you to be attentive to you time and the rhythms of your life as well. don’t be afraid to step away from the computer, turn off the cell phone, or even leave your email in the inbox for a bit while you enjoy time with family, friends and God. Technology blesses our lives, but it does not own them and sometimes an electronic fast can do you good.

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Covering is important, not only in rainstorms, but in all of life. As Christians, we walk under the covering of God, trusting in His provision and protection. We enjoy the blessing that comes our way as God shares the journey with us, knowing that if we remain close to Him, we will have his support and covering as we walk through the storms of life.

One of the most amazing things is that God entrusts people to demonstrate His covering to others. God puts people in leadership so that they can guide and protect the people entrusted to their care. Teachers are entrusted with the education and development of children, shaping them into the people they are made to be, equipping them to fulfill their destiny, and guarding them against things that could destroy their future. Politically, we understand that our leaders are called to be the stewards and guardians of the nation and its people. Pastors, Superintendents and Bishops are charged with the administrative covering of churches and the spiritual covering of the people of God; guiding and teaching, and offering protection and support through prayer and counsel.

There are many forms of covering, but one of the most precious ways God extends that care and protection is in the form of mothers. All parents are charged with the stewardship of their children. Just as we are to be wise in the use of our resources and care for that which God has entrusted to us, so we are to care for our children with the knowledge that they are actually the children of God placed into our care. However, mothers seem to have an extra special place, an extra special gifting that assists them in this task.

I know that as a father, occasionally my children have said, “We love you daddy, but we need mommy.” They needed the compassion and support that only she could offer, because she could feel their pain and connect to their need. She could nurture and hold them in a way that only a mother could. Children need that nurture. I know I did. Even though I knew my father’s strength and his abilities, I always felt the safest when my mother was right beside me.

I wish I appreciated that more when I was young. All too often I grumbled about what she would not let me do, wishing that she would just understand and let me live my way. I did not understand that she was not restricting me, she was covering me… protecting me… guiding me. I missed that she was fulfilling her God –given responsibility to care for me, but I see it now. Now, I thank God that she was faithful to her calling, and I thank God for the gift of my mom, and the gift of mothers. Without their tender hearts and love for us, our lives would not be the same.

I hope you will join me at this season of the year in thanking God for His precious gift that continues to protect us from being drenched by the storms of life. Thanks mom, for sharing the journey and your covering. I am so much the better for it.

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I began pondering the people who have been an encouragement to me. I thought of my family who have stood by my in my successes and failures, who prayed for me when I was wandering from God and who helped me discern God’s direction in my life. I thought of my grandfather who showed me great love and inspired much of my personal faith in God. I also thought of my uncle who helped me discern and refine my call to ministry, and my mom, who still encourages me and brags about her son. Of course, I could not miss the great support I receive from my wife and children who make my life beautiful. Whenever I am feeling unsure of what to do, I hear my wife saying, “You can do it. You can do anything.”

I reflected on my college professor and advisor, who taught me one of the greatest lessons of my academic career. I went to his office to complain because a classmate received a grade similar to mine when I had done so much more work on the project than he had. He smiled and said, “Well Mr. Smith, I don’t expect the same things from him that I expect from you.” I didn’t like the answer then, but now it comes to me frequently as a gentle word from God reminding me to offer my best.

I looked again at the file folder in my office and the similar one I keep at home, in which I keep cards of encouragement from people I minister to. It was heartwarming to see the places where I touched the lives of those around me and reaffirmed why I do what I do.

By now, you might think that I completely missed the message of the devotionals I read with my attention focused on how much I appreciated the encouragement, instead of being challenged to be an encourager, but my experience was quite the opposite. The more I considered the blessing of being encouraged, the more I felt the urge to offer that blessing to others. When I thought about how the words and actions of others helped me to follow God’s path and live with hope and passion, when I considered how my encouragers helped me overcome difficult times in my own journey, I became excited by the possibility of helping others do the same.

As we approach this Third Sunday of Lent, remembering Jesus who gave his life in order that we might have life, may we all be challenged to offer a part of ourselves to others to encourage them with the same encouragement we receive from Christ, and those who bless us in his name.

Now, it is time to go find a way to encourage someone else…

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