Linus and Charlie Brown

Here we are approaching CHRISTMAS again - notice I did not say the politically correct "Holiday Season." I'm not sure what everyone is so afraid of in refering to Christmas as "Christmas." Oh - anyway - that's another blog for another day.

Don't you just love "A Charlie Brown Christmas?" It is a perennial favorite and within that simple cartoon is a question of monumental importance. Charlie Brown simply (and loudly) asks ... "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"

It is such a basic question and such a powerful one at the same time. Linus masterfully tells the story of Christmas and very casually announces to Charlie Brown ... "that is what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."

I would imagine that we have a lot of Charlie Brown's in our world today who just want to know what it is all about ... in fact, some of their questions may even point toward a deeper well ... "why was Jesus born in the first place?"

That's what we'll be talking about at the church I serve over the course of the next few weeks ... He was Born ... to bring peace ... to fulfill the law ... to give life ... to die ... and ... to build a church. I hope that you will join us, either in person or via the webcast each week.

Until then, have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Ranger

This is Ranger! He and I became acquainted for about an hour today. He is a beautiful friend and is quite knowledgeable of his job. He along with several of his friends shared their "expertise" with my family and I through the woods of the Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park. It was a beautiful day for a ride and the guides that accompanied us/led us through the oft-trod terrain were quite engaging. Chris had a pony that was just the perfect size for him. His cousin Julia an equally appropriate steed. As for the other two cousins, Caitlyn and Kathleen, their mounts were beautiful animals that were quite patient with them. As for Uncle John, Grandpa, and myself -- well, let's just say that Douglas Fairbanks, John Wayne and James Arness never looked so good atop their trusty stallions!!

I did find one thing particularly interesting. Our guide told us the basics of our horses, how to turn and of course, how to stop. What to do if they began to trot a little faster than we were comfortable ... and how to speed them up if we needed to catch up. Mainly, though, they encouraged us to stay on the path, particularly in a couple of narrow spots. I guess what was interesting was that the horses have been down these paths so often, they could probably do it in their sleep ... I think mine was!!! At times, no matter how much pulling I did on the reins, Ranger just wouldn't turn - even though it meant I might rub my leg against a tree or have to use one hand to bat the branch out of the way. I was simply trying to steer him in a more unobstructed direction.

People are like that from time to time as well. They have walked the same path for so long, that no matter how hard you pull on their reins, they just won't move from one side to another. We might say, they are set in their ways. How unfortunate! I mean, the smoother path ... the path with less obstacles ... the path that has fewer rocks ... could be just a step or two over ... if they would only heed the reins.

Well, I hope you have a very Blessed Thanksgiving. Give thanks, with a grateful heart ... give thanks to the Holy One ... Give thanks, because He's given ... Jesus Christ, His Son.

Until next time ...
... I'm off with Ranger!!

Pastor Todd

Will Someone PLEASE Stop the Madness?!

I am continually amazed at the stupidity of the human race. I'm sorry if that is offensive to some ... but come on folks ... this is a prime Bill Engvall - "Here's Your Sign," moment.

Have you seen the headlines from Sydney, Austrailia? Hold on to your red and green argyle socks for this one ... are you sitting down? Okay - here it is ... "Santas warned 'ho, ho, ho' offensive to women." Sydney Santa Clauses have been instructed to say "Ha, Ha, Ha." Santas have been told that 'ho, ho, ho,' can frighten children and could be demeaning to women because of the US slang usage of the term ...

Of course, someone could venture to say that "ha, ha, ha" is to Christian and that Santa shouldn't use it either ... you know ... its just too close to "ha-ha-ha-hallelujah ...

I suppose we could try "He, he, he," but that might offend some men's groups ... we could try 'hi, hi, hi,' but some might consider that an encouragement to try drugs ... and "hu, hu, hu" just doesn't make any sense at all ... hmmmm ... maybe that's the one for Santa. I mean, we live in a world that just doesn't make much sense right now!

Have a Happy Day!

Out of Water?

Have you heard about Orme, Tennessee yet? If not, you probably will hear about them soon. They are a small town ... 145 residents ... west of Chattanooga. They are in one of the severest drought areas in the southeast. For 3-hours each day, town mayor Tony Reames "drives up a dusty dirt road to the community's towering water tank and begins his nightly ritual in front of a rusty metal valve."

Between 6 and 9 PM, the townspeople drop what they are doing to make sure they are home to wash clothes, do the dishes, take baths or cook dinner ... in short, anything that needs water as those precious 3-hours will be their only opportunity for the day. The city has an annual budget of $13,000. Of that, thus far this year, $8,000 has gone to solve the water shortage.

While our prayers are with them, our concerns must rise as well. As more and more people depend and use water, the supply has to drop. We've seen that in our area lakes. We also probably wonder ... how do people live like that? Only 3-hours of water a day?

The sad thing is this ... there are probably more people in our world today that seemingly try to survive on even less. In fact, there are many within this very congregation. In John 4, Jesus shared with a woman by a well the concept of Living Water ... spiritual drink that all who follow Jesus desperately need on a daily basis. Yet more often than not, most attempt to only drink from the well for one-hour on a Sunday.

How sad that the town of Orme has to be limited to just 3-hours a day. How much sadder that too many Christian's limit themselves to just 1-hour a week when there is a limitless supply.

Drink and be quenched my friends!