Hey, Christians...

FYI, this post will mainly be food for thought for my Christian friends out there...

My mom sent me a link to a neat video by David Barton as he gives part of a tour in the US Capitol. Many of you know that Barton is a US historian and an authority on US Christian history, in particular. He likes to set the record straight on a number of issues that our ever-increasing secular world brings up. If you, like me, enjoy history and are interested in how Christianity played quite a role in United States history, check out this video!

(You can find out more about David Barton's work here. I've heard him speak live on several occasions, and am always thrilled an amazed at new, enlightening info that he shares! It's pretty cool. The guy is SO smart and on top of all sorts of historical, factual things. Warning: a lot of non-Christians and historians don't like the things that Barton teaches. But most of what he presents can't be refuted. Do some thinking, folks!)

Next, in one of my textbooks for the fall semester, I came across a neat quote. It really struck a chord with me, as a Christian. I am a Christ-follower. While there are a million other aspects that make me who I am and define me (like sports and patriotism), I know that my relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important and what makes a real difference. However, I am always running across other Christians (especially within the Seminary bubble) who are so wrapped up in their "holy living" and debate about "Christian things" {my own terms/views used in quotations here} amongst themselves that they forget to live their lives. While theological debates are important in the fact that its imperative you know what you believe and how to defend it, a Christian arguing with another Christian is not going to impact eternity. You're not loving others by arguing, and you're certainly not living or telling the Gospel to a world who desperately needs some Good News. That said, here is the quote that I'd love Christians to meditate on:

"We are a disobedient people. We argue about the definition of worldwide evangelization and we debate the details of eschatology, while we neglect the command of the Word of God to evangelize the world". -George Ladd

I'm not out to point fingers or start a useless debate or argument. These things just made me think and put stuff into perspective. Maybe they will for you, too.

Merry Christmas!

The incredibly busy semester I had is over, I've already traveled home for a week with family (and to celebrate Christmas early with them) and now I'm back in NorCal and hard at work at the "Starbeezeys" (Starbucks) and getting ready for a J-term class in two weeks.

This year I've decided to not let the commercialism and materialism of the season get to me too much. Being in a retail-type job, it rears its ugly head, but I've made a conscious effort this year to not let it get to me in the long run. I know what the season is about... and I've tried to spread that joy. I also have been laughing off those who want to "over-spiritualize" Christmas (for lack of a better term). You know... people who are constantly reminding us that the Christmas tree has pagan roots and all that jazz. I'm not going to argue the point... I don't have time for that. Many of our Christmas traditions have become part of culture, and since culture is dynamic, alive, and always changing, I'll just roll with it. One of my professors, Dr. Gregg Watson, said it best last Christmas when he remarked "Jesus was probably born in the springtime. Then why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? What about Christmas trees? They have pagan origins. I DON'T CARE! That's not what I'm celebrating. I'm celebrating the birth of Jesus, and giving gifts to the people I love. Put another bulb on the tree!"

As Christmas approached this year, I was struck with a mixture of thoughts. I think a lot about how grateful I am that God thought enough of me (and you) to send His son as a little bundle of joy born in a barn because there was no room made for his parents in a local inn. How humbling! Also, I think of people who don't ever get the opportunity to celebrate this joyous time of year because of oppressive governments and the war torn countries they live in. I think of my trip to teach English in an East Asian country a few years ago at Christmastime. They didn't even get the day off of school. I think of our military friends who are serving overseas and certainly don't get a break from a war- they're away from their loved ones, too, fighting and serving to keep us safe and to protect our freedoms. This Christmas, find a way to count your blessings. Christmas is about joy, about love, about remembering. 

Since I'm posting this on Christmas Eve, I'll post one of my favorite Christmas songs. Check out The Night Before Christmas by Brandon Heath. It brings a tear to my eye almost every time...

So to you and yours, Merry Christmas!! Remember the reason for the season - a baby born in a manger so long ago. It's true. It's real. It really happened. The Christmas story from the Bible is so precious and dear to me... from Luke 2:1-20... you should read it.  :-)