END OF THE YEAR OBSERVATION

There were many ideas on what to write on for the final time in 2010. It has been another year of loss, of gain, of things left behind, and new things acquired.
First, let me play Ann Landers for someone. What do you feel God is telling you about your future? All I see is missionary when I look at photos of you in Kenya. Do you really need a test to tell you what’s in your heart already?
Second, and this may tough for some of you, I am going to talk about the Nazarene District that I am a part of. Pastor recently asked me if I would find another Nazarene church to attend if my wife and I moved to another town. The answer was no. Can I ask all the ‘renes who read this blog a question...When was the last time you passionately cared about something or someone? I don’t see it anymore. Our leadership in the district, they are nice enough, but they are not living the big picture. One pastor uses the line “I am just a poor inerrant preacher”, when we all know he is not poor. He does not know poor. Come over sometime, we will go visit someone who lives on less than $2,000 a year. Another leader claims he is overworked. Doing what? I recently wrote some of the leadership and expressed dissatisfaction with their overpaid positions. One actually moved and is growing a new church. I commend him. The others...there is no change. Do you pay attention to what your church leadership, what your district leadership, is doing? Because they are not doing enough. (If you disagree, there is a comment spot on the blog, please do not e-mail me, let my readers see what you have to say about this) The great commission, given by Jesus, was pretty simple.
18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
But do we do that as leaders? Are we training? I wanted to be trained, and instead I am forgotten by the supposed education committee in the district. Where is the leadership, where is it, I don’t see it, do you? I am not trying to be mean; I am trying to say something about a problem that I see that needs fixing. Can we fix it at Team Day, with the same old seminars telling us what we need to do, and then not going out and doing it? I wanted to be a part of the district, but that fizzled due to a lack of leadership. No one wants to take responsibility; they just seem to want the money and the title. The district wants to point fingers, but they don’t want help. I want to love them as brothers, but I am so disappointed it is hard to do. Who are they accountable to? One of them told me that he reported to this board, that board, etc....But what about the laypeople, what about Christ? Are you accountable on Sunday morning when the lost are not in our churches, when people in Illinois are going to hell while you preach pithy little sermons about how poor you are? I am not buying it anymore.
Matthew West tells us about “His Own Little World” with a population of one. And then his eyes are opened and he sees a starving and homeless widow and his population increases to two. Are we in our little world, or are we seeing the whole world outside our church doors? Are we wearing rose-colored glasses? COME ON DISTRICT LEADERS, CHALLENGE ME. I DARE YOU. Come to the Pana church and face us as a congregation, tell us what you are doing. Tell us it is all good, that souls are being saved, that you are building leaders, that you are baptizing, and instructing, and not just paying people to park in their living rooms, their little church offices, doing nothing, while the world dies outside.
I am looking forward to 2011. I am hoping that people grow, change, and try to make a difference.
There was a lot of personal loss this year, friends and family, and they will all be missed. Goodbye to all of them was hard. I look forward to the someday reunions.

It's The Most Wonderful Time...for some people.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNOM7WOGGUw
First, I highly recommend this video.

It's Christmas, and so far, so good. I have not really gotten depressed yet, though people around me seem to be there.
It is a tough time of year. The loss of my uncle, my dear friend's parents, family friends, and church friends has made it a tough year. Financially, we have struggled, but I see the rewards everyday. They are not materialistic, they are watching a young man get an education, ending his fall semester with over 90% in each class. So the money we are spending is worth it. Physically, there have been a few issues, but nothing that cannot be handled with medicine and doctors and watching what we do.
I have listened to many friends and family members talk about loss, about loneliness, about hurt and pain and suffering. And Christmas just drudges it up for many of them.
But then I really paid attention to the Christmas story this year. How a young girl found out she was carrying the salvation of the world, God's son, and how she had to tell the man she was to marry, and somehow make him believe this outrageous story.
And how Joseph, somewhere lost in the annals of history, had to reconcile himself into believing this concept, that his young bride-to-be was the mother of God, and he was the earthly father. And then they had to flee their home and hide out in Egypt for several years so their baby would not be killed because a crazed king believed it the right thing to do.
And I think, if they could get through it, then I can get through my life and its ups and downs. That I dont have to be the grinch that has to hurt others to make myself feel good, that I dont have to put people down, be so mean-spirited (and I am guilty of that very thing this time of year), but I can try to be better.
This year the church gave over 150 kids Christmas presents. Plus, we had leftovers and gave more kids a better Christmas. There was one woman that seems ungrateful for the free toys. But then I look back and think how hard it must be for some people to accept charity, when they make struggle all year to make ends meet. It does not boost my ego to give, it makes me feel good, but maybe that is not what some people need to see this time of year.
Maybe they need to see that we all struggle with things that weigh us down, hurt us, make us regret.
And maybe we all need to remember that everyone has gone through hardship, even a young couple all those years ago in Bethlehem.

Random Things I Like (next week, Random Things I don't Like)

For this week, let’s talk about my random likes for 2010.

First, I really like Glee. I have read people’s reasons for not watching, and they are just stupid. I like the show, and I still believe there are really good Sunday School lessons to be had in the weekly content.
This week’s episode was the Christmas episode, and it reminded me why I like Artie and Brittney so much as characters. She wants a gift from a Santa she still believes in, and he wants to help her believe. I like them as a couple, and I like the show.
Second, I love Raising Hope, the show on immediately after Glee. It is funny, so well written, and will probably get cancelled. That is too bad, because Martha Plimpton shines, Garrett Dillahunt is so funny, and Cloris Leachman is scary funny. It’s hard to believe that she once took Mrs. Garrett’s place on the unfunny “The Facts of Life”.
Third, I have become a huge fan of Joe Hill. His two books, “Heart-Shaped Box” and “Horns” were both very well written. He may be the son of Stephen King, but he is nothing like his dad in writing.
Fourth, I love people and their giving nature this time of year. There are those unsung heroes that give toys to Angel Tree, or money, and never tell who they are. And then there are the ones I know about. Who have already blessed a lot of kids with their gifts. We decided to stay in Pana this year for several reasons, and we now have over 140 kids signed up. God knew what He was doing but having us stay home this year.
Fifth, can I recommend “Good Will Hunting”? I know it is an older movie, but I just rewatched it and it is so good. I even like Robin Williams in it.
Lastly, let me say a goodbye to 2010. I will miss nothing about it, except a friend I lost earlier this year.