Christmas Carol

In late September I went into Winco and saw half an aisle dedicated to Christmas decorations. Aside from being irritated by the ugliness of the commercialization of Christ's birth, I was shocked by the reality that it was starting 3 months before the day would actually be celebrated.

So when I heard that 95.7 started playing Christmas tunes a few weeks back, I decided I wouldn't listen to them until after Thanksgiving. The other day, however, I was reading a short book and the author made the comment that we should "abandon anything that isn't of God." I believe it is the Spirit's role to explain to you what isn't of God in your own life. I could make a list for you, but God may be dealing with you differently than me. Our best bet is to square our lives and thoughts with Scripture and see if we're increasing in the fruit of the Spirit. Anyway, in that moment of reading, the Spirit convicted my heart about the time I've been spending in the car listening to inane talk radio and mindless sports shows recently.

Now, I could just turn off the noise and be silent in prayer or talk to the Lord audibly in the car, but honestly that is hard for me. Instead, I tried to think about a radio station that could move my thoughts to the Lord, and the Christmas station came to mind.

Plenty of the songs are fluffy (though even those songs can lead us to the qualities of Christ -- peace, joy, hope). After a few of these, "The Little Drummer Boy" came on. Great Words. Near the end of the song, the "King" (one of the wise men) says of the newborn child, "He will bring us goodness and light."

As I heard that reminder the other day, it made me long for the day when the Child-turned-King will return to judge the earth perfectly. On that day (HIS DAY), He will bring us goodness and light in its fullness. It is our role, as agents of His Kingdom to provide glimpses of that coming fullness in the way we talk, think, act, and relate to the people in our school, work, home, on the road, in the grocery store, etc.

This morning I was again out driving early and flipped on 95.7. What was on?

He will bring us Goodness and Light. Come soon Lord Jesus.

Encouraging Surprise

Thank you to the many people who replied to yesterday's post with such encouraging words. I hadn't really expected much response, and was very both surprised and grateful for your comments.

Forgive me if I don't reply personally to your notes, but please know that I was blessed by your kindness.

Blogging is good for me to reflect, and hopefully it will bless you too. I'll pray that the Lord uses it for the encouragement of His body.

Blessings on each of you,

John

Just an Update

After having not blogged for several months, I've been thinking for a few weeks about posting some again. I don't know who might read this, but it struck me that there may still be a few who wonder exactly what has happened in the past year. Even if not, I've found it is good for my own soul to write what is happening in my life as a discipline of reflection. So here goes:

The last many people knew, I was really enjoying substitute teaching in the KSD and RSD. That ended with the school year in June. During the summer I washed windows and had the privilege of tutoring a young man from Kamiakin. In addition to this, I began a program that will result in me receiving a fully-accredited teaching certificate from CWU (probably in early February 2010). I began this school year as a student teacher and just completed my 6th week of teaching 8th grade math all by myself (called a solo). People have asked me if I am enjoying it and the answer is yes -- I enjoy the students. Much of this last year (February through September) I had the opportunity to preach on a weekly basis at a small church in Pasco. I stopped that as I began my student teaching, and I find that I really miss preaching. I am still trying to sort out how my desire to do this, my thoughts on the need to have significant relationships outside the church, and how to earn a living for my family coexist.

In this past year I have felt so many emotions. Highs of joy, anticipation, peace, hope, and confidence have been mixed with lows of fear, sorrow, confusion, hurt and doubt. I find it a bit ironic that as people have told me that I am inspiring to them, many times I feel like I am walking in circles. I'd love to say that this past year has been one of constant growth in my relationship with Jesus, but that's just not true. More accurate is that, in my better moments, I am grateful for the mercies of God which are new every morning.

I still believe God's word to me is Wait. That very clear word was spoken to me over two years ago, and I don't think God has changed that yet. If I come to mind, please pray that I'll wait faithfully, hopefully and contentedly.