Book written to help you fulfill your mission this Christmas

If you enjoyed The Purpose Driven Life, author Rick Warren has come out with a book with the purpose of helping those who have not yet believed in Christ to discover Him during this wonder season.

I haven't read it yet, but knowing Rick, I'm sure he gives the Gospel in a non-threatening and very readable way.

Here's the link for it at Amazon at a 32% discount.

So this is Christmas, and what have you done...?

Allow me to let you in on a family “secret” at our house. You know those sappy Christmas movies that come on every night from Thanksgiving to Christmas on The Hallmark channel? Right. The ones where every peculiar old man is really Santa or somebody’s lonely and they get a boyfriend/girlfriend just in time to kiss under the mistletoe. If Gail’s got the remote – that emitter of familial control – that’s what’s on our TV. Every night.

Now, I confess. I have a few Christmas movies that I look forward to every year. Any version of “A Christmas Carol” (whatever happened to Mr. Magoo?) gets my vote. A great story. And I’m good for at least one viewing of “A Wonderful Life”. My favorite is “The Christmas Story” about Ralphie and his Red Rider BB gun. Lots of laughs in that one. And Tim Allen’s original “Santa Clause”. “Elf” is a laugher, too. And because I’m a big Maureen O’Hara fan, the original “Miracle on 34th Street” (is that the right number?) is a good one in front of the fireplace.

Unless it’s a version of the Bible story of Christ’s birth, mostly every Hollywood holiday flick – even “The Grinch” – carries with it the theme of joy and some kind of “spirit” that should accompany The Season. Isn’t it interesting that even the secular world still has this notion that Christmas (for some reason) should bring out the best in us? Tiny Tim should get medical treatment. Scrooge becomes benevolent. George is rescued by the generosity of friends while Clarence gets his wings. Ralphie gets his Christmas wish.

And while you and I know that’s not really what Christmas is about, it isn’t a bad thing that this time of year people throw a few bucks into the Salvation Army kettle or give toys to kids via the Marines. People do tend to smile a bit more and the kindness quota rises a bit this time of year. And for most, that’s a good enough reason to have this “holiday season”.

But for Christ followers, who not only know the story that started it all, but know the One worshipped by shepherds and angels as their Savior and Friend, this season should be the time of year when we see the door opened wider than any other time of year to exhibit in our lives that He is real.

While it’s still legal (and I say that with my tongue partly in my cheek), let’s be “Merry Christmas” people. “Happy Holidays” somehow just strips away the fact that this is more than a day off from work. Use this season to speak up and tell your story or invite a friend to church or to your group or to a Christmas activity where you know those whose lives have been changed by Christ will be present. Do something radically generous for a stranger. There may never be a better opportunity in a calendar year for Christians to welcome seekers to the manger and the cross that had to follow.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

I wonder if anyone ever really answered John Lennon's question?

Created for a Mission

Evangelism is actually carried out intentionally by only 10% of Christians. That means 90% of us are not sharing our faith.

Have you ever shared your faith story and how the Good News of Jesus can bring new life with someone else?

Why is it that the Christian community typically avoids communicating the Gospel?

How can NHC encourage her partners to reach out?

Share your thoughts and comments.

Turn Around Church Conference today

I'm on the road to the Rocky Mount area - the North Roanoke Baptist Association in Dortches, to be exact - to speak to a conference of pastors about "turn around churches". This is the second one of these I've been invited to this year.

I'll share the NHC story - it's a story that I trust God will use to give hope and encourage pastors of struggling churches to be leaders and trust God for the results. There will be a couple of other pastors speaking as well about their churches' stories, so I hope to learn some great stuff.

While there I plan to stop at the Red and White in Dortches and pick up the secret ingredient for my chili for Saturday night!

Thanks for your prayers as Andy and I travel today.

Two making a difference in Ike's wake

The video and pictures tell part of the story of the Tysonesque punch Ike delivered to the Gulf Coast. For many it is total destruction of all their lives built. For others it is major life interruption. For God and His people it is an window of opportunity to act in Jesus' name.

I know two guys who are doing just that.

Greg Avery is one of our own at NHC. He and Cathy volunteer a large part of their time and their income to serving the victims of disasters via the work of NC Baptist Men's Disaster Relief team. Truly Greg and Cathy are living out the vision of Nags Head Church in sending out missionaries. Greg's somewhere down there right now. He has been in Louisiana, but his last communication with me indicated he was likely headed to Texas. Right now he's involved in the provision of feeding thousands of meals every day to those without the ability to fend for themselves.

Glen Sartain is the other guy I know. Four years ago, right after Hurricane Isabel hit us, Glen preached at NHC while I was on a sabbatical. And prior to that he led a Transitioning conference we hosted along with Dan Southerland.

Glen lives in Houston and chose to ride out the storm. I thought he was nuts. He and I were actually chatting via Facebook while Ike was coming down on them. But checking in on Glen yesterday I found him doing two things. First he was clearing debris in his neighborhood. Then later he was cooking for his neighbors. They have no electricity, so my hunch is that Glen either has a generator or a gas grill and was hosting a "post hurricane block party", emptying out his freezer and feeding his neighbors.

Both guys are going to see God use their efforts into the lives of hurting people and produce a harvest because they were willing to do whatever it takes, even in the hardest of times.

Thanks Greg and Glen for your witness and your example to us. God give you safety and bless you in ways you never imagined.

If you want to go to the Gulf and help follow the link above to NC Baptist Men (women can go as well!). Or if you want to give a special offering to support those who are going, make a check out to NHC and indicate it is for the hurrican disaster relief effort and we'll see that it gets into the hands of those who are serving.