Visions of Sugarplums? Not yet...

I spent a good bit of time the past two weeks taking care of some Christmas “stuff.” There was the one day I spent 4 hours putting together gifts for my children, and then another day I spent as much time wrapping presents for my wife. I’m not really good at it, and I do like to try and disguise things so she can’t figure out what they are. As a result, I spent as much time wrapping a few gifts as it would take many people to wrap forty or fifty gifts.

We have also been very busy the past few weeks. In fact, since our boys’ birthday party in November, we have not had a weekend where there was not at least 2 events running. It’s been a little nuts. I used to say, “It’s better to be busy than bored.” I’m questioning my own wisdom at this point.

The icing on this “seasonal cake of life” is the fact that my children are a bit wild with the excitement. The twins have gotten this way for several years now, but now that the baby is old enough to realize the large lighted tree with packages under it means something special, he is also joining his brothers in crazy-town. Yes, I will look back in a few weeks and laugh about a lot of it, but right now, due to growing exhaustion, I just want to put in ear plugs and lay down somewhere in a dark room.

I really am looking forward to all of different activities and emotions that the next two weeks holds. Yes, I am tired, but that doesn’t excuse me from any behavior that I may exhibit that is less than what I know to be God-honoring. In fact, there’s really no time of year that we have an excuse to act in a way that spreads or shares anything less than the Love of God. If Jesus commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, then that’s what we’re supposed to do. The world in which we live too often puts out the idea that there are legitimate excuses for our behavior, making it “okay” or justified. I don’t buy that. I do understand that certain mental illnesses can make this a very thin line, but those are rare cases, and not just for lazy people who don’t want to put the effort in to being decent human beings.

With all of these excuses passing as reasons, it would be easy to just act like a creep one day when I’m tired, and then say something cliche like “Everyone’s entitled to a bad day every now and then!” Bad days do not a reason for acting like the poo of the earth make. (That is worded that way so that my use of the word “poo” will seem more civilized.) We are supposed to be different. Take one trip to Walmart in the next 3 days, and you’ll see that acting like a demon is NOT different. Unfortunately.

Let’s make an impact by NOT letting the fact that we are worn out be the catalyst that leaves us acting like we have never even heard of Jesus, much less claim to follow Him. In this season where Christians recognize that “the light shines in the darkness” (John 1:5), let us continue to let the same light inside of us “shine before men” (Matthew 5:16) and be a reminder of Who we truly celebrate this time of year. Hang in there...soon you can settle for a long winter’s nap!

The Golden Arches of Bondage!!

Over the weekend, my sons were with me for a church event, and they were exceptionally well-behaved. That can be a rare occurrence, so to try a little positive reinforcement, I offered to swing by McDonald’s for a cup of hot chocolate on the way home. We pulled into the drive-thru, waited our turn, and then pulled up to the screen. I ordered the two hot-chocolates, and was very disappointed to find out that the cocoa machine was not working. No hot chocolate. Really, that’s all we wanted, so I thanked the speaker box that was taking our order. It was at that very moment that I realized that even though I was no longer ordering anything, I was doomed to stay in that line at least for however long it took the two cars in front of me to pull forward.

You see, at some point, there was probably a strategy meeting between the engineers that were in charge of laying out the parking lot and drive-thru space, and the marketing guys that are there to make sure the consumer is urged to spend lots and lots of money. At this meeting, someone probably pondered that when the line gets a bit long, they need keep the traffic flow moving so they don’t lose customers who are impatient. Another “concerned” attendee of the same meeting probably said, in let’s hope was at least a half-joking manner, “...what if they couldn’t pull out of the line--then they’d have to order something anyway, right? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!” (‘Cause it’s a joke, remember?) There was probably a moment or two of silence. Someone probably tapped their pen on the conference table and looked uncomfortably and yet slightly optimistically at the big dog running the meeting. Maybe there was uneasy shuffling of papers and re-crossing of legs and a few sniffs in the room before the boss finally says, “You know, you may be on to something…”

That takes us back to my predicament on Saturday. With a six-inch raised concrete border to the drive-thru loop, cars who change their mind are now stuck in line anyway. I’m sure the consumer psychology people say that customers will probably figure they’d just go ahead and order since they can’t get out of line, thus increasing the bottom line for McDonalds. I, however, do not bow to the logic and reasoning of a McDonald’s Psychologist. I simply thanked the person taking the order and told them we would just wait and pull through and leave when we were able to do so.

It’s hard to believe that McDonald’s, the home of “service with a smile” would stoop to something as diabolical and sinister as entrapment to get our money! They might as well have giant golden arches that we drive thru as decoration that only clamp down tight against our vehicle to keep us from leaving their place! I’m sure there are secretly hidden golden tire boots that come out of the ground and trap your car in the parking lot if you go to eat-in and change your mind. Just watch out, lest we begin to see golden mechanical hands that slip up out of the golden seats and pick our pockets dry as we eat…

Okay, so I’m being a bit of an alarmist and over-reacting just a bit. But, there is a point. McDonald’s is representative of the world we live in. There are many things available to us quickly, conveniently, and easily. Some of them, like the fruit cups, oatmeal for breakfast, or salads on the McD’s menu, are not bad for us. In fact, some could argue that there are healthy things available. A Health club is designed to be quick, convenient, and easy, and it’s not really bad for you. Colleges and Universities are making classes available online and through independent studies to keep it more convenient and accessible for those that must work but still choose to pursue further education. These are just a couple of examples.

However, there are many more options on the same menu that many people agree are simply terrible for your body and your heart. The world has many of these same kinds of things. They look tempting and wonderful, and while we enjoy partaking of them, and do not notice the damage they do right away, the more we indulge, the worse it gets, and the greater the risk of permanent damage. Those who are unaware of cholesterol issues could end up in the hospital or worse due to heart problems. Continual indulgence in sin can quietly build up internally in our spiritual system, blocking the free flow of God’s Word to our hearts, and can cause a different type of heart problem.

When we do finally start to notice a problem, many people feel trapped by the choices they made just like those barriers at the drive-thru, and instead of fighting to get free, they just give in and buy in some more. They figure they’ve already gone this far, what’s a few more steps in the same direction?

The good news is that when we discover that the convenience the world offers does not really have what we’re looking for, we do not have to order off the menu anyway. We do not have to be trapped in line. God is always willing to reach out and give us a way out of what appears to be a helpless situation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that not only are the temptations we face NOT stronger than we are, but that He is always there with an escape route to get us away from it. Whether it’s giant 4x4 tires to leap a curb at McDonald’s, or a friend to give you the moral support you need to walk away, God will always give us a way out. The hard part is choosing to get out before we give in. Be careful of the conveniences in which you indulge. Not all of them line up with God’s menu and what He has planned for us in His Word.

Not saying I see a conspiracy, but next time you hit the drive-thru at Taco Bell, just be ready, because like the other place I mentioned, once you’re in, you’re in. It may be you for whom the dinner bell tolls.

Bumper Sticker Mentality?

I like bumper stickers. Not necessarily on my own car, but I like to read them and laugh at the funny ones. I saw one that said, “4 out of 3 people have trouble with fractions.” It made me chuckle. One that made me laugh out loud said, “Don’t Tailgate Me! (I’ll flick a booger on your windshield.)” AND, because I’m not really afraid to go there, the one that wins the award for the longest laughing fit goes to…: “Sorry officer, I’m only speeding because I have to poop!” (I know, it’s childish, but you laughed too, didn’t you?)Some work too hard for irony: “I hate bumper stickers!” Others try to be inspirational: “Relax! God is in Control.” Some are political: “Don’t Steal! The government hates competition.” Some like to mix philosophy with humor: “What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it’s all about?” Still some others promote their favorite causes, such as “Opposed to logging? Use plastic toilet paper!” Finally, there are just some that defy a single classification: “I used up all my sick days, so I called in DEAD!”

Okay, that’s enough of that. I saw a couple of bumper stickers this week that were just mean-spirited, and I’m sure someone thought they were funny. However, I personally would never keep a bumper sticker on my car that publicly put down my wife--even as a joke. I certainly would not want her to have one calling me names that implied that my I.Q. and grasp of reality were both low and embarrassing to her. If we’re talking heated divorce situation, I could at least understand, but still wouldn’t condone such a thing.

I’m not one who thinks I must make other people believe just like me, and I certainly can’t account for the tastes and preferences of others, especially since I laughed at the poop sticker listed above. However, it seems to me that in today’s world, the idea is to be as negative and offensive as possible. Not just with bumper stickers, but in general. Whether it’s sports interviews, FaceBook Posts, Political Campaigns, YouTube rants, or any place where an opinion can be made public, it seems that as long as someone laughs or gets a kick out of what you say, go ahead and say just about anything you want.

In our Bible Study last month, the students and I took a look at a series called, “Speaking Without Talking: What your lifestyle is saying about you.” Bumper stickers, FaceBook, and other outlets reveal many things about those sharing their opinions. There are many times when good impressions are sent. But, there are many times when not. The messages we send in every aspect of our lives are being witnessed somehow. You may not notice the person across the gas station witnessing you drop your trash on the ground instead of taking eight steps towards the trash can. But when you drive away with your Christian Bumper sticker proudly displayed, you might help that person decide they want nothing to do with Jesus.

It doesn’t do much good to post inspirational pictures or even scriptures on FaceBook if you regularly use profanity in your other posts, or post pictures that show you participating in activities that are less-than-honoring to God. Even the little things you add your name to by simply clicking the “Like” button can get the attention of someone just itching for a reason to cry “Hypocrite” and turn away from church.

The little things we do matter. I’ve had to learn this lesson the hard way before, and I pray I never make the same mistakes again. Scripture tells us we are to let our light shine. (Matthew 5:16) I LOVE that verse and the idea there. We need to be careful, however, because when we know we’re in the “limelight” or under scrutiny, we watch what we say and do. BUT, when we think no one is around, and we say or do whatever we choose, regardless of how appropriate it is, we forget what Ephesians 4:29 says about saying (and I believe it also covers our actions) those things that are only encouraging, and beneficial--even for those that may overhear it. In other words, those people watching from a distance to see if you are a “real” Christian, or just someone who knows how to play the game.

The best way to avoid this is to get your heart in the right place, and to free up your mind from the junk of the world. Paul says to “Transform our minds” away from the ideas of the world, and to only think on what is “...noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

If you transform your mind, and fill it with the things of God and the types of things in Paul’s outline, then they will help to flush away the worldly things that bring you and others down. Eventually these good things will get into your heart, and will then come out in your lifestyle. Yeah--Jesus says it in Matthew 15. It’s there.

Bumper stickers are not evil. That is certainly not where I’m going with this. BUT, they can reveal a deeper issue within individuals, and can reveal a need to get our hearts and minds back in line with what God calls us to be to this world.