"You just wait 'til your father gets home!"
Bill Cosby in a stand-up routine once told about coming home from work only to be greeted by his wife with the words, "I want you to go upstairs and kill that boy." I've waited in my room, nervously knowing that my posterior was going to meet an inanimate object at the end of my father's arm. I usually deserved it, too.
That's one type of waiting.
There's another type of waiting, a glad kind. It's what I experienced when my father took a business trip. He'd be gone for several days but upon returning, he almost always bore a souvenir of some sort. One time it was a piece of petrified tree from California, another time a perpetual calendar from Niagara, a pencil sharpener in the base of the Empire State Building, or a bag of volcano ash from Mt. Saint Helen. No matter where he went or how long he stayed, I knew my dad would return to his family bearing gifts. Those gifts were neat, but the real power was in how they conveyed a deeper truth: He'd been thinking of us while he was gone, and had definite plans to return.
We Christians wait similarly. We've been taught that though Jesus ascended to heaven, he is planning a return, and at that return he will bring about justice and restore God's rule. That's a heck of a gift to bring your children after a celestial business trip. Chapter three of a letter in the Bible entitled 2 Peter deals with how it is that we are to be found waiting. Again we have two types of waiting - as those who live with no regard to holiness and may expect punishment for our deeds, or as those who pursue holiness and can expect to take part in God's great kingdom.
In Advent, we celebrate the first arrival of Jesus by celebrating his birth. But we also celebrate his impending return. Peter suggests that as we await that return we should "...strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish...and forewarned." The promise of Jesus' return is good, but there is a darker, nearly foreboding side to the promise: How we wait matters.
I'll be talking about this further in a sermon this Sunday at Willow Meadows Baptist Church. If you're in Houston I hope you'll join us for worship at either 10:45 or 11:45 that morning and see what all this "waiting hype" is about. In the mean time, me and Richard Marx will be -
Right Here Waiting For You,
Pastor Gary Long
Not a Sermon - Just a Thought is a serious attempt to get you thinking about faith on Friday. Hopefully it will encourage you to attend worship this weekend, if not at Willow Meadows Baptist Church, then somewhere. I assure you that spending time in worship in December will help Christmas be more meaningful to you. If you'd like to subscribe to this weekly email, let me know at glong@wmbc.org.
And no, Richard Marx will not be singing at our church this Sunday - that was my attempt at humor involving a rocker from the 1980's - although it's debatable if Richard Marx could be accurately called a "rocker."
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
God Lives Under The Bed
I envy Kevin. My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful.
You might want to share this with your friends.
-------------------------------------------------
Thanks, Jeanie.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful.
You might want to share this with your friends.
-------------------------------------------------
Thanks, Jeanie.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Progress on funds for Weldon
Here's the latest on Weldon's family situation. Thanks to everyone who participated. I'm sure you could still contribute to meet other family needs.
Paul
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Progress on funds for Weldon
Date: 08 Dec 2008 21:19:08 -0500
From: Sandra R. Hale
To: Paul W Gray
Hi Paul,
We have raised the money and supassed the goal! Including $2500 from Weldon's friends in Canada, we have received $4862 which exceeds the $4200 goal. Weldon has forwarded this money to his brother in Kenya by way of Post-a-Pay, which is how money gets transferred in third-world countries. With the extra money Weldon's family will be able to construct on the property a more permanent traditional house with a thatched roof for about $300. The tiny house they have been in (about the size of our kitchen) is a semi-permanent building. There will also be some minor closing costs so the $4862 should come out about right. Weldon is greatly relieved and very happy. He can once again concentrate on his studies!
Thank you for your all your help with and responsiveness to the Kenya Project! We will keep you further informed as things proceed in Kenya.
A blessed Advent and Christmas to you and your family,
Ken
Paul
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Progress on funds for Weldon
Date: 08 Dec 2008 21:19:08 -0500
From: Sandra R. Hale
To: Paul W Gray
Hi Paul,
We have raised the money and supassed the goal! Including $2500 from Weldon's friends in Canada, we have received $4862 which exceeds the $4200 goal. Weldon has forwarded this money to his brother in Kenya by way of Post-a-Pay, which is how money gets transferred in third-world countries. With the extra money Weldon's family will be able to construct on the property a more permanent traditional house with a thatched roof for about $300. The tiny house they have been in (about the size of our kitchen) is a semi-permanent building. There will also be some minor closing costs so the $4862 should come out about right. Weldon is greatly relieved and very happy. He can once again concentrate on his studies!
Thank you for your all your help with and responsiveness to the Kenya Project! We will keep you further informed as things proceed in Kenya.
A blessed Advent and Christmas to you and your family,
Ken
Daily Devotional by Max Lucado, Dec 8th
Daily Devotional by Max Lucado
�the One who came still comes and the One who spoke still speaks�
December 8
The Gift Is God-Given
Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows.
James 1:17 (NCV)
The conclusion is unavoidable: self-salvation simply does not work. Man has no way to save himself.
But Paul announces that God has a way. Where man fails God excels. Salvation comes from heaven downward, not earth upward. "Every good action and every perfect gift is from God" (James 1:17).
Please note: Salvation is God-given, God-driven, God-empowered, and God-originated. The gift is not from man to God. It is from God to man.
From: In the Grip of Grace
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1996)
Max Lucado
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Newspaper Story about First Baptist, Plano choir
Story in the Plano Star-Courier about the First Baptist Church choir and Christmas CD recording.
http://www.planostar.com/articles/2008/12/04/plano_star-courier/news/16.txt
http://www.planostar.com/articles/2008/12/04/plano_star-courier/news/16.txt
Christmas Concert at First Baptist Church, Plano - December 14th
The Christmas Concert by the FBC choir this year is only one performance. Scot Cameron, a tenor, is the guest performer. There is no Living Christmas Tree this year.
The concert is Sunday, December 14th at 6:30 pm, and will last about 90 minutes.
Contact the church office at 972 424-8551 for free tickets.
The church is at 1300 E 15th Street in Plano, about a mile east of Central Expressway.
Please help us provide for our community by bringing one or more of the following items:
Dried fruit (Large package)
Dried beans
Peanut butter (1 lb jar)
Canned tuna
Canned tomato sauce
The concert is Sunday, December 14th at 6:30 pm, and will last about 90 minutes.
Contact the church office at 972 424-8551 for free tickets.
The church is at 1300 E 15th Street in Plano, about a mile east of Central Expressway.
Please help us provide for our community by bringing one or more of the following items:
Dried fruit (Large package)
Dried beans
Peanut butter (1 lb jar)
Canned tuna
Canned tomato sauce
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
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