Does Our Giving Have Strings Attached? - An Evaluation of Christmas Gifts

I saw a sign at a coffee shop today that said Think Like Santa, Be Like Santa.  It got me thinking about what that would look like. Now, I know that their point was for me to buy the stuff on the display and then to give it to other people, but it made me think about it deeper as the day went on.

In the song Santa Claus is Coming to Town we are told to be good, not pout, and even not to cry.  Why? Well, the easy answer is to keep kids out of their parent's hair by giving them an incentive to do good, but the real answer separates Santa Claus from the true meaning of Christmas.  Don't get me wrong I am not a Santa-Basher.  I understand the validity of giving gifts.  After all God gave us Jesus, the Wisemen gave Jesus gifts, and gift giving can honor the entire tradition.  What differs is why we are giving.  Is it because they are good to us, or because we love them?  Is Christmas a time for legalistic strings attached giving, or selfless love expecting nothing in return?

Before Jesus came we were under the law (a system of dos and do nots).  This system allowed people to see that we could never be good enough without God's direct intervention.  This is what Christmas is all about.  Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  God did not give us a gift because we had been good, but because we had been bad.  


We were God's enemies without his gift.  Romans 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.  The good news is that God does not hate his enemies like people do, but instead  he has love for them.   Matthew 5:44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!  And his love is the very message of Christmas (John 3:16). 


This Christmas let us remember that he sees us when we're sleeping, he knows when we're awake, he knows when we are bad or good and he loved us enough to give us the gift of eternal life anyway!  Now that is the Christmas spirit.  Would you give your enemy a gift for Christmas?   Think about it, God did it and it changed the world.  

Luke 6:32-35
“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!  And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much!  And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

What would change if we lived that way?  Would it change you, your enemy, or would it change the world by mirroring what God desires for humanity?

A Useless Facebook Quiz

I usually hate these things but I am in a weird mood, so I did one on Facebook for about 25 friends who are mainly family.   I thought rather than tagging everyone one at a time I would post the quiz as a blog.  Now you will see all of the inner workings of my mind (or at least some of them).  I am not posting the instructions so you will not be asked to continue the posts but you can answer any of the questions in the comment section.

And now we begin the worst blog you will ever read -

1. What time did you get up this morning?
Oh, well I was off today and exhausted so sometime after 10 (don't judge me)


2. How do you like your steak?
Medium well done (no mooing allowed)

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Tangled (hey, it was for my little girl)


4. What is your favorite TV show?
The Middle, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Office, Clone Wars


5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Where I am now, Troutman, NC (if I wanted to be somewhere else I would be)


6. What did you have for breakfast?
Honey Nut Cheerios with a banana and some OJ


7. What is your favorite cuisine?
American (seriously, a burger, ribs, steak, fried chicken that's where its at) also Italian


8. What foods do you dislike?
Anything with Mayonnaise 


9. Favorite Place to Eat?
 Texas Inn, What-a-Burger, Kat's Patch (anything that is a hole in the wall joint)


10. Favorite dressing?
Raspberry Walnut (or nothing)


11. Your favorite thing to wear?
Jeans and a Star Wars T-Shirt (also my Jedi robe but shh that's a secret)


12. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
Australia, Italy, Skywalker Ranch, San Diego Comic Con, England, Ireland


13. Where would you want to retire?
I do not want to retire, but if my health forces me too, then somewhere with a mountain view.


14. Favorite time of day?
Night - bedtime stories, then time for Debbie and me to veg out and unwind


15. Where were you born?
Virginia


16. What is your favorite sport to watch?
    None unless I have to and then it is high school basketball or Major League Baseball.


17. Person you expect to tag you back first?
Whoever is the most bored


18. Who are you most curious about their response?
       I am very curious to see if anyone responds


19. Who tagged you?
      my brother Israel and cousin Byron


20. Are you a morning person or a night person?
night


21. Do you have any pets?
   yes, a dog, turtle, and a fish


22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share?
   I am writing a book and my nose hair has doubled


23. What did you want to be when you were little?
  A geologist or an archaeologist (yeah, I know I'm a geek)


24. What is your best childhood memory?
Playing outside until dark, building forts, playing baseball etc.


25. Are you a cat or dog person?
turtle

26. Been in a car accident?
Yes, my fault, their fault, the weather's fault.  The only injuries have been from the airbag (I hate those things)


27. Any pet peeves?
   LEGALISM! also cell phones in the theater      See my complete list on an earlier blog http://www.randumblog.com/2010/11/what-are-your-pet-peeves.html


 28. Favorite Pizza Toppings?
   All veggies, pineapple,  and bacon


29. Favorite Flower?
 Saliva May Nights, and Daisies


30. Favorite ice cream? 
 Breyer's Sara Lee Strawberry Cheesecake


31. Favorite fast food restaurant?
   Taco Bell, BoJangles


32. From whom did you get your last email?
      Allstate *yawn*


33. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
      Not a fan of credit cards, or maxing them out, but I do like Comic shops, thrift stores, and flea markets (love to find nostalgic stuff and great deals)


34. What are you listening to right now?
   94.1 KLove and MXPX- On the Cover II


35. What is your favorite color?
Black, Brown, and green


36. How many tattoos do you have?
      none (yet)




The Next Three Days

This past weekend there were millions of people lined up to see the new Harry Potter movie.  Where was I?  I was seeing The Next Three Days along with eight other people who happened to be in the theater on Saturday night.  I went home afterwards and read some reviews to see if I could find out where the crowds were.  The critics attacked it as too slow and not enough action.

I think what they mean is not enough "action".  The action we have grown accustomed to is over the top CGI explosions and unrealistic fight scenes.  The Next Three Days was a well acted, realistic nail biter of a movie.  It is a mix between John Q. and Taken.  If you are looking for a movie that could actually happen- a romantic action flick with a lot of drama and a feel good vibe about the triumph of the human spirit, then The Next Three Days is for you.

The only drawback is that Liam Neeson only does a short 5 minute cameo, when the trailor made him seem like a main character.  It does not matter though because Russell Crowe carries the film.

It was a breath of fresh air after the far fetched action movies that have come out this year.  If I still had the money I spent to see movies like Predators and The Expendables I could go back several more times to see The Next Three Days.  My advise:  Ignore the critics on this one.

Dealing With Frustration and Pain

My wife Debbie wrote this article as a devotional for some teen girls she mentors.  It spoke to me so I thought I would pass it on to the Randumblog community. 

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This is a BIG issue for me and something I struggle with on a daily basis!!!!!.... I know that everyone deals with this no matter what age and season of life you are in!

Being a Christian does not mean that our lives will be easy or that everything will just be handed to us on a silver platter. The Bible tells us in John 16:33 "that in this world we will have trials". Most of us have positive expectations for the future. But what if life is not as we had hoped it would be? How do we manage the unexpected, and the not-so-desirable turn of events? The answer is simple, but not easy....God has NOT given us a way out, but a way through! He has not only told us, but has shown us how we can have victory through the trials and temptations of this life.

John 16:33 "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

In this verse Jesus is talking to his disciples and basically telling them that their life is NOT going to be easy. In fact most of them would end up being brutally killed for their faith. WE will also have troubles, frustrations, and sorrow.  It is a natural part of this life. However, Jesus goes on to say, don't be upset about this, for I have overcome the world.  Jesus was telling them this before his death. He didn't say I WILL overcome the world, but I HAVE already overcome it. I believe this means that in this life will go through things that are not pleasant, but Jesus did too. However, he overcame it by his response to it. He did not sin. I believe he is letting us know that when we go through these tough times, e understands, because he has been through it, but we can also choose not to do wrong. We can choose to have the right attitude, not blame others, not give up by giving into the lies of this world. 

"God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength. If you spend yourself out physically, you become exhausted; but spend yourself spiritually, and you get more strength. God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the minute." Oswalt Chambers 

I know for my own life, frustration is a daily thing. In this world, bad things will happen, they may be small or even great. Things that we think that we cannot overcome, but God will give us the strength. He does not take it away or give us an escape. But he has provided a way through it. 


We can have victory through tough times, but we must be reading the Bible, worshiping and praying, staying connected with others that share our faith, and staying free from sin through the power of God's forgiveness. 


God said, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace," He tells us that we can rest in the fact that all we endure is working out for good whether we can see it or not! I know that I have used this example before but it always helps me to see this more practically. Have you ever seen a cross stitch? The little brown wooden circle with fabric stretched through it. There are lots of threads of many different colors used to make a picture on the fabric. Well underneath there are all these strings hanging down, a knotted mess. This is what we see in our lives. Like we are underneath this thing and we have no idea how something so messed up is going to look. However, God is looking down at the top, he sees how each thread, each color is making a beautiful picture! this is our life...we are messed up, we have all these trials and things that come through everyday life, but we cannot see the big picture. God is using these threads to make us into something more beautiful!

Here are some other verses that I thought might would help you press on through daily trouble we may face. I encourage you to read them and study them more on your own.  If you have any questions or comments feel free to share.

Job 23:10
“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
James 1:12 
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
1 Peter 1:7
"so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Tweet

What are Your Pet Peeves?

Everyone has pet peeves.  Here are a few of mine.

-email forwards
-dogs that lick 

-when people confuse Star Trek with Star Wars (Argh!)

-gossip

-finding only one sock per pair after a wash

-partisan politics

-being late for anything

-cell phones in a theater

-talking during the national anthem

-tele-evangelists (for the most part)

-local news (Charlotte)

-skinny jeans

-a slow wi-fi connection

-being at an event where only tea is served (and I have to ask for water)

-an empty soda at a restaurant

-emissions inspections on cars

-bad grammar

What are your pet peeves?

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The Election is Over! I Hope it Starts a Gridlock!

Well, it is no secret that I am an independent voter. One may wonder why I am excited about the Republicans taking control of the house. The reason is that it balances the power.

When President Bush had a majority in the house and senate the republicans went on a spending spree. This spree was echoed and built upon by President Obama and his Senate and House democratic majority. The simple fact is that new plans cost money. Whoever is in charge will spend, spend, spend, regardless of political affiliation. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Democrats want government to do more for us, which requires more taxes while republicans call for tax breaks without necessarily cutting spending. To cut taxes, we must first cut spending, programs, funding and agencies. That is right, I said agencies. I would cut the cord on the IRS, NEA and many others.

The truth is the government that acts least, acts best. This is why I love a gridlocked government. I say vote for the party in congress that is not in the White House no matter who happens to be in power. Sure nothing new will get done, but then again, what do we really NEED the government to do that the private sector cannot come up with through supply and demand?

While we're at it, let's stop trying to legislate social and moral change. Let it start with us. Let us love our spouses more than ourselves, teach our children to work hard and to give back from what they have earned. It is not the government's responsibility to care for the poor. It is ours. I would much rather give freely than to have my money taken and redistributed.

Yes, gridlock is the answer. Maybe in the next two years government spending will begin to drop slightly. Hey, I can hope can't I? Remember that if families ran their financial lives like the federal government then there would be no America. Can you imagine deciding what you want to spend and then approaching your employer and demand to be paid that amount? It would be absurd! We have to see what we make and only spend that amount in order to be responsible. This is not the way government works.

To those who lament on both sides tonight that neither side has control, I would like to remind them that it is better that two idiots fight with their fists than one climb the tower with a machine gun. Divided power is less power for each party and that is good for everyone.

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A Recipe from Randumblog?

I did some experimenting over the last few days. I tried a caramel frappuccino from three different places. Those places were Caribou Coffee, Starbucks and McDonald's. They all taste pretty good even though my favorite is still from Joe Muggs.

I have been pumping the baristas for information about how they make each of these drinks for weeks. They of course cannot reveal their base since they have no idea what is in it.

When we bought a dual blade 1000 watt blender a year ago I tried several recipes found online. We kept running back to coffee shops for the "real" thing. I have taken the best of each and have come up with a recipe that I believe has beaten them all. I am not selfish so I shall share this with you.

If you are in my youth group and have had a sample the past two weeks, I need to tell you that I used only water as the liquid base. I had to do that for a large group to save money. The whipped cream will be better if you make it yourself from whisking heavy whipping cream.

My Caramel Frappe Recipe
(makes enough for two)

Place all of the following in a blender:

2 cups of ice
2 oz of half and half
6 oz of skim milk
4 oz of water
1 & 1/2 tbsp of sugar
6 tbsp of Hills Bros (sold in BJ's type stores in a 40oz can) french Vanilla Cappuccino mix (or any french vanilla instant coffee)
7 pumps of Caramel syrup from Caribou Coffee (it is thinner and richer than store bought and can be bought with a pump)

blend on high for 45 seconds (longer if using ice tray cubes)

top with whipped cream and Hershey's or Smuckers caramel syrup (the thin syrup doesn't work as a topping

don't forget the straw


Wow! It is good. I just had one before writing this, and after reading what is in it I am glad I do not know the nutrition facts. Let me know how it comes out. It takes me less than 3 minutes from start to finish now. We enjoy one everyday in the evening for a fraction of the store price.

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Parenting in Style

I am the type of guy who mutes commercials or changes the channel completely during breaks. Terrible commercials are the bane of my television watching experience. I may have called Geico for a cheaper rate on my car insurance years ago if it were not for their lame ads, and don't even get me started on Capital One.

Some of the most meaningless advertisements are from car companies. To listen to them, one would gather that every car is the most favored by buyers, has the best milage, and more storage space than any competitor.

It is really hard to see any of the actors in television commercials as real. The acting is almost always sub-par. Although I cannot stand most of the advertisements on TV, I am quite fond of the commercials during the Super Bowl. In fact I would rather watch them over the game itself.

If a company wants my attention then they need to spend their money on a great script. The video that I am featuring below does just that. It is an ad for the Toyota Sienna that spends more time talking about parenting than pushing this particular mini-van. The result is that if I had a choice of mini-van currently on the market, the Sienna rises to the top of the list. All of this and I know nothing about the van itself. I can, however, see a real family owning one. Great job Toyota.

Here is the video (the lyrics are below in case you want to do some karaoke after watching):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4

This one goes out to all you minivan families out there.

Sienna SE…in the house.
Where my mother/fathers at?
Where my kids at?

Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?
Where my kids at?

No, seriously honeywhere are the kids?
They’re right there, see?
Oh, cool beans.

[VERSE DAD]
I roll hard through the streets and the cul-de-sacs,
Proud parent of an honor roll student, Jack.
I got a swing in the front, a tree house in the back,
My #1 Dad mug says, Yeah, Im the Mack.

[VERSE MOM]
I’m the world’s best nurse when my kids get sick,
I make a mean gel-mold, I perfected my tricks,
Back when I used to party as a college chick.
Now I’m cruising to their playdates lookin’ all slick…

[CHROUS]
In my Swagger Wagon,
Yeah, the Swagger Wagon,
It’s the Swagger Wagon,
I got the pride in my ride.
In my Swagger Wagon,
Yeah, the Swagger Wagon,
It’s the Swagger Wagon.

[VERSE DAD]

Check it…

I love hangin’ with my daughter sippin’ tea, keep my pinky up,
All the drawings on my fridge sport an A+.
I’m an awesome parent, (Right!) and it’s apparent, (True!)
And in this house there’s no mother/father swearin’.

[VERSE MOM]
Straight owning bake sales with my cupcake skills,
I’m better with the money, so I handle the bills,
And I always buy in bulk, ain’t afraid of no spills.
Every Mother’s Day proves…I’m kind of a big deal.

Daughter: Mommy, I need to go potty.

Bring the beat back, ’cause, yo, I got more to say,
You know I’m always front and center at the school play.
I kiss their boo-boos, clean doggie doo-doos,
Cut the crust off of PB&Js, chill the Yoo-hoos.

[VERSE DAD]

Singin’ “Farmer in the Dell” in perfect harmony,
When I’m rollin’ with my posse in the HOV.
We rock the SE, not an SUV,
And it’s true, if I were you, I’d be jealous of me…

Bridging: A Shift in Spiritual Thinking

I am asked quite often by others for prayer. Usually I respond by saying, "I'll be praying for you". Now don't get me wrong, I am very intent on actually bringing these requests before God, but life sometimes gets in the way. Distractions detract from our spiritual life and its impact on others.

My pastor shared a statistic this past Sunday. Married couples that pray together (not meals) at least twice a week only have a 1% chance of divorce. Wow! When we consider that the divorce rate is flirting with 50%, that is quite a drop.

I suspect this is not just true of marriages. People everywhere need this bridge of prayer in their life. It forms a relational connection that says I care and have a vested interest in your personal well being. Some friends and I recently sat down with about 10 youth pastors individually. What we found was that when we would ask how we could pray for them that they were taken back. It had been up to 3 months since some of them had had anyone pray for them in their presence. If this happens in ministry then it surely is an epidemic in the Christian and secular worlds.

Jesus said that where two or three are gathered he will be with them. Are we taking some of the effectiveness of our prayers away by hearing needs and waiting to pray for them in private? We need to change! We need to build bridges spiritually with anyone who may have a need. I can SHOW I care by praying WITH my spouse, friends, and anyone who expresses hurt. Our marriages will be stronger, people will be encouraged and God will move.

Let's make a shift in spiritual thinking. The need until prayer time needs to be about three seconds. Three seconds from the time we have actively listened to a concern before we are taking that need before our Father together. Be a part of the mind shift and build a bridge with someone today.

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How Important is Facebook?

Just how important is Facebook to our everyday lives? It seems that everyone from preteens to grandmas are using the social media giant. We can interact with current friends and family as well as reconnect with old friends.

It is that reconnecting that causes me to question how we use the social platform. There are statistics that say that more and more marriages are dissolving due to these retro-sexual flames from the past. The studies range from 20 to 23 percent of those getting divorced.

Another problem is the millions of dollars people are willing to spend on items that due not exist. How sucked in does one have to be to pay real money for virtual cash to buy nonexistent merchandise. I was in Target the other day and even saw $15 gift cards to use on Facebook (a "free" site). Last time I checked we are still in a recession. There are still people going to bed without food in their bellies in the very communities in which we live. All the while there are real people playing games like Farmville and using real cash (at times) to tear down barns to build bigger barns. This sounds strangely reminiscent of a parable told by Jesus.

The bottom line is that Facebook can be an escape. It can be a place to conduct illicit relationships that you have no business pursuing, a platform for viewing or spouting gossip, or a financial drain for an emotional escapist. Hearing all of these things should plant seeds of caution and concern. Caution should range from sharing your password with your spouse to canceling your page altogether. Do not let something as trivial as a website destroy your relationship with your spouse.

I will not assume that everyone reading this blog believes the same as me when it comes to spirituality, but to those that do we have a duty. We should view Facebook as a mission field. A chance for others to see Jesus lived out through us. Not an escape or something to do in our spare time like "chewin' the fat" at a high school reunion. We need to be intentional in our encouragement, careful in our chatting and personal messaging, and all out purposeful in why we are here. The world may not be beating down your churches door to get in, but it has rolled out a red carpet for virtual missionaries who are willing to show Christ's love to people where they are at. Let's decide to work strategically to partner with God in what he wants to do on Facebook.

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Star Wars in 3D, its Finally Official!

Lucasfilm announced yesterday that they would be re-releasing all six Star Wars films in 3D. The proposed date will be in 2012 and all signs point to February. This has long been rumored and discussed among fans, but now it is finally going to happen. I have never been a fan of 3D movies. Avatar's affects were good, but then there was the Clash of the Titan's and Alice in Wonderland debacles.

I would be excited if Star Wars reentered the Theater in 2D or even with no picture as a digitally converted version of the radio dramas. Industrial Light and Magic is overseeing the project and has said they will take their time to do the job right.

It turns out that 2012 will not be the end of the world, but rather a dawning of an era where there are 3D films that actually have a great original story (sorry Dances with Wolves, ahem, I mean Avatar). I can't wait to see: the Death Star trench run, pod-races, lightsaber duels, asteroid fields, light-speed, the Rancor, and the Millennium Falcon in 3D.

If you have never seen any of the films, this would be a great time to give them a chance. Star Wars never had the chance to be released with the modern ticket prices and inflated 3D prices that propelled Avatar, The Dark Knight, and The Titanic past the greatest film of all time. I say it is time to reclaim the top spot. I myself will see it at least three times.

Now we can start crossing our fingers for 3D releases of Braveheart, The Matrix, and Fifth Element. I would much rather see great movies come back to the theater (3D or not), than new movies that are weak in story and rely on 3D alone for special effects.

Has God Been Removed from Declaration of Independence?

Wow! I am shocked! I just saw a video that I had to watch twice. President Obama spoke to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute 33rd Annual Award Gala on September 17. In his speech he quoted from the Declaration of Independence. The only difference was that he omitted the words "their Creator" in his speech. Could it have been an accident? I doubt it, because he was using a teleprompter.

I am not bashing our President. In fact I pray for him a whole lot. I am just pointing out how offensive the mere mention of the Christian God has become. Watch the video below. Let me know what you think of his decision to take God out.