The impact of Christmas is both cosmic, and personal. Jesus was born for all of creation, and he was born for me and for you. In this holy child, God was beginning the greatest work of redemption and healing. This One, the divine Christmas Gift, was born to transform all God made, releasing it from the power of evil and darkness, and restoring it to its original design. But that is just half of the story.

Jesus was also born to make a way for a profoundly personal relationship with God. The Almighty, the Creator, desired something more. From the very beginning, humanity was created for a relationship with God now, through Jesus, the invitation was to become part of God’s family. The relationship God desired was one of great intimacy.

The Gospel of John says that, through Jesus, we have the right to become children of God. If we receive him, if we believe on the name of Jesus, we receive the right to become, not be called, become the children of God. The Apostle Paul would later echo these words in his letter to the Galatians, “For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” (Galatians 3:26 NIV)

Every so often I will hear someone say something like, “Everyone you meet is a child of God.” This is a lovely sentiment, but it is not true. Everyone we meet is created in the image of God, and is of infinite worth. Everyone we meet should be shown the great love that God has for them. Everyone we meet should be treated with the profound sacred worth God ascribes to them. However, not everyone we meet is a child of God. There are conditions on that relationship.

The potential to be a child of God is extended to everyone through Jesus Christ, but accepting that invitation involves receiving Christ and believing on his name by faith. Simply put, we need to accept the gift that God offers in his Son. Through faith in Jesus, we are adopted as sons and daughters in the family of God.

As an adoptive father, this act of God has a special place in my heart. I vividly remember the day we sat before the judge and declared our desire to become the parents of these precious children. I also remember the moment when the judge asked each of the children if they wanted to have us for parents. I cannot begin to describe the lump in my throat as I waited to hear their response. It was only a brief pause, but in it, I became aware that there was a possibility they could say no. They would still be wonderful children if they made that decision, but they would not be my children.

The same question waits for each of us to answer. We have the freedom to respond to God’s invitation in Jesus with , “Yes,” or a “No,” and just like that moment in the judge’s chambers, any answer other than “Yes” is a “No.” God never forces us to accept Jesus; to believe on his name. It is a choice offered in love, and God eagerly awaits our decision.

The Scripture says that God, “chose us in him [Jesus] before the foundation of the world to be adopted as his children.” (Ephesians 1:4) It is the eternal desire of God that we would accept his invitation and become the children of God. It is the grand question of Christmas, and of life. The question is before us. Will we say “Yes” and accept the relationship we are destined for?

The post Children of God – A Christmas Invitation appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

There are so many different ways to read the words of that question. It can be spoken in the tone of a parent asking a precious child what would bless them, or with the drone of a bored cashier who would rather not be bothered. It is the terse expression of an annoyed coworker, or the heartfelt request of someone who really cares. At its best, it is a searching question aimed at revealing motive and desire.

In the Gospel of Luke, we find the story of Jesus interacting with a blind beggar just outside of Jericho. The man is seeking a touch from the Lord as he passes by, yet Jesus asks the man, “What do you want me to do for you?”

At first glance, we might think to ourselves, “Come on, Jesus, don’t you know what he wants? Can’t you see that he can’t see? Isn’t his need obvious? Why would you ask such a question?” The man, however, responds directly to the question, “I want to see!” and with this declaration, Jesus heals him.

Why would Jesus ask such an obvious question to someone with such a recognizable need? If others knew his need, wouldn’t the Son of God be able to perceive it as well? Maybe, there is a deeper meaning to be found in Jesus’ request. Maybe, Jesus had a bigger purpose in mind.

I once heard Joseph Garlington, a pastor from Pittsburgh say, “When God asks you a question, he isn’t looking for information.” God is not lacking understanding or information, but we might be. We might not have a clear image of what we are seeking, but God does. And that is why we need a clarifying question.

Jesus was not oblivious to the beggar’s need, but he wanted him to identify it. He invited him to become a part of the miracle by clarifying his desire. The man paused, even if only for a moment, to consider his need and to ask specifically for Jesus to meet it. Maybe, we need to do likewise.

In our home, we often have conversations that go something like this:

“Let’s go out for dinner.”

“Okay, what do you want to eat?”

“I don’t know…”

It can be very easy to know you want something, but not know what that something is. Likewise, most of us know we need something from Jesus in our lives, but the real nature of just what that need is often eludes us. It is in these moments, that we too, can hear Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” What, specifically, are we seeking from him? He already knows what we need, but this is our opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to show us our real need so that we can present it to God and receive our answer.

Too many times I’ve said, “God, fix it,” or, “God forgive me.” with no idea what I wanted God to do, or what God might be asking me to do. It is not that God will not answer such requests, but God is so much more than a genie in a bottle, there to grant our wishes. God is a loving friend who wants to share the journey with us.

So, the question stands, not as an expression of ignorance, but as an invitation to share our needs, our requests, our very selves with God. It is an opportunity to see our real need more clearly and to see who Jesus is in the midst of our need.

As the Lord journeys with us, perhaps he is asking us, “what do you want me to do for you?” if that is his question, what is your answer?

The post What Do You Want appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Whenever significant changes occur in such public ways, there are always many questions and many assumptions. This news is no different and the discussion even made its way into our van as we came home last night. My son began talking about who could replace Jobs and where Apple would look to find someone. This provoked some interesting conversation, but a key point I raised in our discussion was that any company looking to successfully navigate a change like this would be wise to look for someone within the company who understood the company’s DNA. My wife and son agreed then they said, “but it won’t be the same.”

They are right. We all know that when leadership changes, something significant shifts. Even though we talk about the power of an institution to follow its design, we know that leadership plays a significant roll in how the vision is put into practice and how people are willing to follow.

The Apostle Paul wrote the Corinthians, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) He understood the importance of leadership to shape others, and he also understood that the good leadership involves being a good follower.

Leadership is a popular theme in the world, and it is in the Church as well. It seems everyone wants to be a leader. Those in charge are highly valued and respected and many aspire to be in someone else’s position. It is almost like an adult version of King of the Hill. The best leaders, however, are not just those with the right degrees, background or connections. Great leadership comes from following a great model and then modeling those same great behaviors for others to follow.

This is why Paul could tell his listeners to follow him, for he knew that he was following Christ. He sought to model his life after the life of Jesus and invited the Corinthians to do the same by following him to Christ. We should do likewise.

Jesus invested tremendous time in his disciples, helping them understand the kingdom of God through his words and actions. On the night of his crucifixion, he began his last meal with them, by taking on the role of a servant and washing their feet. Then he told them that they should do as he did, following his example.

 Jesus is our example. We need to follow him, and then we need to be Jesus with flesh on for the world around us. When people look at us they should see the One who we follow in us, in our words and in our actions. It should be clear that we belong to him.

Thankfully, our leader will never resign, so there is no concern over his replacement, but as followers, we can help others follow as well. If we follow the model set before us, and allow him to dwell within us, then we too, can encourage those around us to follow us as we follow Christ. We need to be good followers first, then we can begin to think about becoming leaders.

May the eyes of our hearts be on the Leader so that we can be followers worth following.

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I expected to gain some understanding of artistic design, painting tools and watercolor techniques. What I did not expect included learning to see with new eyes and insights into living in the moment. The instructor repeatedly mentioned that taking this class would change the way we saw the world around us. From his perspective, becoming a student of art ultimately leads to asking of the things we see in our lives, “How can I paint that?” The answer involves more than color choices and techniques, it also involves truly observing what we see.

A classic example happened during a recent class on painting trees. As we began to paint the trunks and limbs, our teacher asked, “what color should we use?” Of course, we responded with browns and grays. His suggestion, “begin with blue.” I was sure I’d never seen a blue tree trunk, but I was patient. By the time the class was over, our blue tree trunks looked more realistic than I imagined possible. Since then, as I observed the trees around me, I’ve seen a number of blue tree trunks and a number of colors I never knew were there.

Attentiveness to life is a gift. Not only do we see surprising colors and details we never noticed, but our eyes are opened to life that is all around us. The great diversity of creations begins to unfold before us and some of the simplest, most common things become awe-inspiring wonders.

Similar discoveries await us in our emotional, relational and spiritual worlds as well. When we pause long enough to truly see and when we are willing to retrain our senses, a world of fantastic wonders open to us, filled with great diversity, new discoveries and unimaginable inspiration.

I love living with my new eyes on the world. I invite you to join me as you take the time to open yours to what is around you as well.

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What struck me most in her note, was her word of thanks for the bag of marshmallows we left with her family. It brought back great memories of the last day with our new friends and of the entire trip.

We brought a few things from our country that would be difficult, if not impossible, to find in Brazil to share with host families and churches. Things like maple syrup, peanut butter, and marshmallows. It was wonderful to share a part of our culture and say, “thank you,” for the hospitality. The marshmallows were a tremendous hit and the smiles they brought were wonderful. I did not realize the impact they made until yesterday.

Since then, I’ve been thinking about gifts and how we bless others. All too easily we judge gifts by size or cost. We say things like, “It’s the thought that counts,” but typically, we are hoping for more than a thought. The excesses of our holidays, even our daily lives, reveal our attachment to things and their value. I wondered how many people I knew who would be blessed by a 99 cent bag of marshmallows. I wonder if I would remember such a gift two years after I received it. The truth is, my house is full of far more expensive gifts that I’ve already forgotten.

That simple Facebook not really challenges me. It keeps asking me about my priorities and about what truly has meaning. I am wondering how many simple, yet wonderful, blessings I miss every day – gifts from friends, from strangers, even from God. I wonder if the gifts I give are special because of their cost or the value of the love in which they are given.

I know Lent is quickly approaching, and I believe God gave me my focus for this season in the words of a young Brazilian woman. Maybe it is time for the virtue of simplicity to take deeper root in my life as I receive and share the joy of simple things. Maybe all of us could benefit by taking our eyes off of the things we have and share, and looking more deeply at reason we share them in first place.

I look forward to this Lenten journey. Maybe God will inspire you to join me.

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As with all relationships, the answer usually involves several facets. However, there is one primary key that can open the door to more of God and that is the Key of Thanksgiving. The Scripture tell us that we are to, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.” If we want to enter into the place where the glory of God dwells, then we will need the key that God gives us in His word, and He says that the key is thanksgiving.

We might be tempted to think that some demanding spiritual exercise is necessary, or maybe we have to achieve a certain level of spirituality before we can have a deeper experience of God’s presence. God, however, does not put those demands upon us, instead, He calls us to people of thanksgiving and praise. There is no achievement required, only a willingness to declare God’s goodness.

“Why thanksgiving,” you may ask. Well, because thanksgiving changes us. It moves us from negativity and toward something positive. It calls us away from being caught up in ourselves and to connect with God. It gets our minds and our spirits in harmony with God and His Spirit. It lifts our eyes off of our circumstances and onto the One who holds all life in His hands. As we begin declaring our thanksgiving and praise, we remember all that God has already done and we recall His unchanging faithfulness. We strengthen our faith to believe that God will continue to care for us as he always has.

The more we thank and praise, the more we magnify our heavenly Father. The more we magnify Him, the greater He becomes in our eyes and the more we can trust Him. We open our eyes to more of His presence in our midst and we anticipate what He will do next. We look for the blessing that is all around us and we see more of His wonders in our lives.

Thanks and praise leads us to become Ephesians 3:20 people… those who look for God to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we can ask or think. We find ourselves excited about the opportunities God is creating to show His glory in our lives and that lead us to a greater, more meaningful relationship with Him.

Thanksgiving is so much more than a holiday or a turkey dinner. It is more than something we offer at times of harvest and blessing. It is a key to living in the presence of God. It opens the door to viewing all of our life as a great blessing from God and it multiplies the opportunities for us to experience God’s glory in the land of the living.

This year, make thanksgiving a way of life and look for the encounters with God that will follow.

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Reflecting on those words, I penned this prayer:

The blessing of abundance is upon us,
But who will be there to gather it in?
God, send us workers to receive your promise for this season.
You, O Lord, have called your people
For such a time as this.
A time to gather
A time to share
A time to celebrate
May the joyful noise of your people declare your goodness to the nations.
May the poor and the broken,
The hurting and the lost be welcomed.
May healing come bringing life in it’s wake.
May your promise be fulfilled
As we lift our eyes to the hills and declare,
“Our help comes from God!
Our help is in the Lord’s name!
Blessed be God!
Blessed be the name of the Lord”

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“Frequently when I come to a certain part of ‘Our Father’ or to a petition, I land in such rich thoughts that I leave behind all set prayers. When such rich, good thoughts arrive, then one should leave the other commandments aside and offer room to those thoughts and listen in stillness and for all the world not put up obstructions… I have learned more from one such prayer than I could have received from much reading and writing” – Martin Luther

It is so easy to get so caught up in our routine that we miss the new creative moments that God is forming in our midst. Our comfort with the well-worn methods and paths makes it difficult to see new adventures awaiting us if we would only chart a new course.

As a pastor, I know that some of the scariest words I hear are, “We’ve never done that before,” or their partners, “We’ve always done it this way.” I know some others who shiver at them as well, because they are a verbal expression of spiritual eyes partly, or completely closed to new things, even those that God is doing. The scariest times are when those words come from my own mouth.

In the 43rd chapter of Isaiah, God tells the prophet, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV) God makes clear the divine desire to do something new; something that will bless the world and glorify God. The image of a clear path in a barren land and flowing water in the arid wasteland are beautiful and amazing.

Can you picture lost people, parched with thirst hearing those words? Can you imagine the hope that they stir?

We can envision the comfort and sense of relief the promises of the Creator bring to those in such need, and we can see how we too, crave the promise of similar blessings in our own lives. Maybe we are safely in our homes, with plenty to drink, but we know times of being spiritually and emotionally lost – times when our hearts and spirits seem dry and empty. What grace it is to hear that in those difficult times, God is doing a new thing that will show us the way and water our souls.

Martin Luther was right. Sometimes, we have to lay aside the prescribed activities, even if they are spiritual, to open ourselves to the precious moment with God that is before us. We may need to let go of what we held onto in the past, to take hold of the blessing God has for our future. It may be time to change our words of concern into words of hope declaring, “Thank God! We have never done it this way before! Now is our opportunity to embrace God’s new way and walk in it. God’s blessing lies down the path the he is revealing even now. We’ve always done it our way, now we can do it God’s way!”

Can we forget the past, not dwelling on the former things and envision a future designed and blessed by God? If so, then the adventure is just beginning and the refreshing waters of the Spirit are just ahead. May God’s blessing be ours for the journey.

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I thought those rides were amazing, but it was not long before I realized that, although they were animated, they really went nowhere. All the dimes I could muster would still leave me sitting atop a fake horse or inside a fake boat right in front of the store where I began. I quickly realized that while there was activity, there was really no adventure.

Years later, I would get the opportunity to ride a real horse and, yes, experience the pain of being thrown to the ground. My head still aches when I think of it. I would also enjoy the rush of the wind in my face as I took my first speed boat ride, hanging on for dear life as the boat made its way across the water. These experiences were not nearly as safe as my coin operated rides, but they were real and even the fears, bruises and white knuckles were signs of the adventure.

Jesus’ disciples knew similar adventures and like many of us let their fears restrict the awesome power of their experience. On one occasion, they were in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee and Jesus was sleeping in the back. As they were making their way across, a storm formed and soon they were battling to keep their world in order. Chaos was all around them and they feared for their very lives, yet their leader was resting peacefully in the stern.

When the situation finally became too overwhelming, they woke Jesus asking him, “Don’t you care that we’re about to die?” Jesus saw their fear and the storm that was raging on the water. He stood, challenged them to strengthen their faith, and then spoke to the storm. “Peace, be still,” he said, and immediately the storm subsided. The disciples were in awe and wondered just who he was that even the wind and the waves obeyed him.

It is true that the disciples witnessed an amazing miracle as Jesus calmed the storm, but they missed out on the adventure of riding out the storm knowing that the Savior was with them in the boat. There was a great story to tell, but just imagine the greater story of living through the adventure of a lifetime with faith in the power of the Son of God to see them through.

Sometimes, we would rather settle for fake experience, rather than face the fear of the real thing, but when we do, we end up going nowhere and missing the adventure. Life with Jesus is an amazing adventure and we are invited to join him on a faith-filled ride that will rival any other experience. It will require us to set aside the safety of our predictable experiences and step into the unknown. It will call on us to risk in ways we never expected, and it will cause us to stir up all of our faith in the One whom we call, “Lord,” in order to see it through to the end. But, white-knuckled and faith-filled, we will have an amazing adventure with the One who will see us through. We are being extended the opportunity to accept the awesome adventure of a disciple of Jesus. The experience will be worth it, and oh, the stories we will have to tell as we share the experience with the risen Christ.

Will you say, “yes,” to his invitation to go with him?

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