PastorTim

JUST SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS….

Borrowing from a slogan of days gone by, please allow me to try and start a new one. I’m calling it, “JUST SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS!” Like clockwork, the grinches are already out in force punishing those erecting Nativity displays, extending Christmas greetings and celebrating the Birth of Jesus. Recently at a retirement center in Plant City, Fla., an 85-year-old Mrs. Arnold was told that federal law now prohibits her from displaying anything that references religion – words, decorations and the like – in the common area of her apartment building, a HUD facility. I did recently learn that the Plant City Living Center's recent newsletter regarding holiday decoration policies has been rescinded. In a statement issued by a spokesman concerning the issue at the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development facility. "I want to take this opportunity to reiterate to you … that Plant City Living Center respects the religious beliefs of all of its residents. In furtherance of that policy, Plant City Living Center allows residents to decorate their apartments and the exterior areas of their apartments in any manner they choose,". Also in Fort Collins Colorado, a task force recommended white lights, as well as neutral and non-religious decorations such as "snowflakes, snowmen, snowballs, ice skates, skis, penguins, polar bears, white lights, etc.," for this time of year. Their reasoning, “because other decorations such as red and green lights fall among the items that are too religious for the city to sponsor.” Oh Brother! One last item here. A major retail chain has begun using the term, Family Tree instead of Christmas Tree in their advertising. Here we go again!
All of this is expected I suppose, but it goes in the face of how I uderstand most Americans feel. A new Rasmussen poll finds Americans overwhelmingly prefer that stores use the phrase "Merry Christmas" in their seasonal advertising rather than "Happy Holidays. The survey found 67 percent favor "Merry Christmas" while just 26 percent prefer "Happy Holidays." The poll results were the same for males and females, and there were few demographic differences. As the war on Christmas moves into full swing again this year, and as the special interest groups break open their briefcases with all the law suits and threats, I’m ready for em! I’m gonna JUST SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS! I mean say it loud and say it everywhere I go. I started this past Saturday. Terri had a few things for me to pick up on the way home from the office so I stopped by my local Kroger’s store. To my cashier I wished a hearty MERRY CHRISTMAS!, then to the little girl at the Starbucks stand, MERRY CHRISTMAS! And then as I was leaving I stopped to put some gas in the old Impala, only thing was, I paid at the pump. No problem really, I just looked toward the little booth where the cashier was sitting, and in a loud and robust voice shouted, “for everyone one else standing around getting gas as well”, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Man that felt good! Maybe you’re asking, Tim, why be so vocal about this Christmas story? You can believe in it, but do you have to say it out loud? In public? For just anyone to hear? Well if that’s your concern, allow me to set your mind as ease because I get it on real good authority that it’s OK to talk about Christmas loud enough for all to hear. In fact that’s how this whole Christmas business started.
Listen into Luke’s Gospel “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” That’s from Luke chapter 2, read it for yourself. You see, I’m just keeping the tradition of the angels and the shepherds in making this news known abroad. I am not out to offend anyone, but to wish them the warmest of greetings during the time of year we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ. It’s one of the freedoms we have in this great land you know. And it is guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States. So what do you say, are you with me? LETS JUST SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

THANKSGIVING AGAIN AND ALWAYS

Thanksgiving is in the air. The shopping carts are filling as we speak with all the ingredients for a wonderful feast for family and friends alike. The food will be delicious as always, I married the best cook in the world and if you don’t believe me you can look at the before and after pictures. It’s kind of like that new show The Biggest Looser, only in reverse! Oh and speaking of that, I think I’m gaining a little of my weight back from this past summers pre wedding diet. I say that because when I get out of my car at the Oak hill Bank office in Ironton, the car door drags the sidewalk! Enough of the weighty talk for now, I’ll feel guilty enough by Friday.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful part of our heritage beginning with our country’s first settlers. William Bradford, the governor of Plymouth Colony proclaimed, “To All Ye Pilgrims: Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience; now, I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November ye 29th of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three, and third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor, and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.” Isn’t it a joy to know that those who came to this great land were mindful of who was responsible for their blessings? Or take for example President George Washington’s first National Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1779. “Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; Whereas, both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness!" Makes you proud to be an American doesn’t it?
But it didn’t start there. Our forefathers I believe were wise enough to take the advice of God’s word in realizing and remembering from whom their blessings flowed. Listen to Psalm 103 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” David here reminds of many reasons for which we can say think you today. It is though for the Christ follower that these words hold the most appreciation. The writer is overflowing with thanksgiving and appreciation for many things and not the least of which is God’s forgiveness of our sins. And not just forgiveness mind you, but the removal of our past wrong doings as far as the East is from the West. Did you get that? Now you can literally find an end from the North to the South, but the East From The West? Are you able to thank God for that today?
As I close this column allow me to share with you one of the dearest of poems that I have ever heard. I first heard it recited by the legendary George Younce of the Cathederal Quartet years ago in a concert. It goes like this, “Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair; I envied her -- she seemed so gay, and how, I wished I were so fair; When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet -- the world is mine. And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, "It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find"; he turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir." And then I saw that he was blind. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine. Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue; he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do; I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?" He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is mine. With feet to take me where I'd go; with eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I am blessed indeed. The world is mine.” HAPPY THAKSGIVING

GORDON, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

From time to time in our lives we are blessed to cross paths with great people. Not the ones who think they are great, or the ones that pretend to be. And no not the ones who have achieved incredible success in their field just for the recognition or the prominence. But those rare and remarkable people that God allows you to meet along the way and when your time in their company has passed, you look back and say, Wow, thanks, Lord for allowing me to spend time with one of your servants. I had the amazing honor and privilege of spending some time last week with one of these people, Gordon Mote.
With the help of Gordon’s website bio, allow me to share a little about Gordon as a way of introducing him to you. With the reputation of being one of Nashville’s top session musicians and most sought-after concert pianists. Gordon’s passion for music is contagious. He’s an insightful songwriter who knows the value of a strong lyric, and he possesses a voice that resonates with warmth and conviction. As a pianist, he’s one of the best-known musicians in the industry. He’s performed on stage with Lee Greenwood, Trisha Yearwood, Tanya Tucker, Bill Gaither and Grand Ole Opry legend Porter Wagoner among others. In the studio, a “who’s who of country and Christian artists” have benefited from Gordon’s gifts, among them Rascal Flatts, Randy Travis, The Martins, Mark Lowry, Trace Adkins, The Gaither Vocal Band and Kenny Chesney. Gordon now tours with the Gaither Vocal Band. This passionate Alabama football fan, “The only thing by the way that we disagreed on I think. I’m praying for you Gordon!”, now performs in excess of 145 concerts a year, in addition to being one of Nashville’s most sought-after studio musicians. He and wife, Kimberly have been married for 15 years. The two have three children, 11-year-old Samantha, eight-year-old Parker and a brand new baby, Ashton Graham, born on September 24, 2007. “I think the thing that I’ve learned more than anything is just to be true to who you are because it’s your name that’s on the album and it’s your name that’s on the bus,” says Gordon. “If you don’t really believe in what you’re singing, you can’t do it with passion.”
 And that he does! After a day of TV and radio Gordon performed live at the Plymouth Heights church. You’ll have to go to my blog for pictures. Speaking of Gordon’s love for lyrics, I was so touched by a particular song, Carry Me Away that I told Terri, “I think I would like that to be played at my funeral.” I do hope however that by the time I die CD’s are long since obsolete!
So with all that shared, may I explain what my thanks to Gordon is all about in the title of this weeks column. Some things that I gleaned for his demeanor and his attitude were a bit contagious. For example in listening to Gordon describe how that God called him out of his comfort zone with a great career and nice schedule to a full time road ministry is challenging and bit familiar. But what I thank him for is the reminder that, You cannot fail when you fully follow God’s direction, regardless of how scary it may be sometimes. Listen to the lyrics of a song Gordon recorded written by Joe Beck, Paul Fields and Billy Sprague entitled The Reason Is Love…. “You gave me hands instead of wings | So holding on comes easier than flying | You gave me eyes, not always vision | To see beyond the things that leave my crying | So here I am, Lord lift me up | Lift me up and dry my tears chorus Whatever you want, whatever you will | Whatever you do, I'm trusting you still | Whatever it takes, whatever the cost | Lord, I know you well enough to know | The reason is love.” What a thought! As we Pastors would say, that will preach brother!”
But along with that, I learned from Gordon that, You can’t base your vision on what you see. Life is more than what the physical eye can take in. Thanks for that lesson friend. For those of you who may not be aware, Gordon Mote was born blind. And if nothing else I took from our time together I was blessed to be reminded of how God has blessed my life with a wonderful wife. Listen to the lyrics of a song Gordon wrote to his wife Kimberly. “Everyone tells me how beautiful you are | And what a lucky man I am | And though they all can see the way you look at me | They don't see it like I can
 
Chorus:
If they could see you through my eyes | They'd know where the real beauty lies | Deep inside your heart | Who you really are | If they could see you through my eyes.”
I wonder, I really do what our marriages, what our churches and what our world would be like if we half the insight that Gordon has. Oh and before I forget, one last thanks for the wonderful sense of humor God blessed you with and which you use often! I believe the word prankster is in order here. And I love it. You fit right in around me. I knew it was going to be fun when the first thing you said to me was that I wasn’t at all as ugly as Ivan Parker said I was!
So I say thanks again friend. Thanks for reminding me, thanks for challenging me and thanks for the laughs. May each of our lives have such a profound effect on those we meet!

WE WILL NEVER FORGET……

Proud as I am to be an American, there are just certain days and events that still bring a lump to my throat. One of those days is coming up this weekend as we honor those who as Lincoln said so memorably, “gave the full measure of devotion” for our freedom. This column is in honor of them. So I will let their stories and the words of one much more eloquent than I try to express the gratitude due them. Though it is often only bad news that we hear, there is an abundance of stories of brave men and women that are newsworthy. Stories like Staff Sgt. Chad Malmberg who became the first Minnesota National Guard member since World War II to receive the fourth highest military decoration, which is designated solely for valor in the face of the enemy. The St. Paul resident was credited for his quick, concise and heroic actions when his 25-vehicle convoy was ambushed outside Baghdad on Jan. 27, 2007. Outnumbered and trapped for nearly an hour in an ambush by 30-40 insurgents wielding rocket-propelled grenades and machine-guns, Staff Sgt. Malmberg repeatedly put himself in the direct line of fire to coordinate ground and air support to ensure the safety of his Soldiers. Stories such as that remind us that we must never forget.
It was at the Omaha Beach Memorial at Omaha Beach, France.
June 6, 1984 That President Ronald Reagan addressed an audience at the United States-France Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. Here are a few excerpts of that speech. “Mr. President, distinguished guests, we stand today at a place of battle, one that 40 years ago saw and felt the worst of war. Men bled and died here for a few feet of--or inches of sand, as bullets and shellfire cut through their ranks. About them, General Omar Bradley later said, "Every man who set foot on Omaha Beach that day was a hero.” No speech can adequately portray their suffering, their sacrifice, and their heroism. President Lincoln once reminded us that through their deeds, the dead of battle have spoken more eloquently for themselves than any of the living ever could. But we can only honor them by rededicating ourselves to the cause for which they gave a last full measure of devotion. Today we do rededicate ourselves to that cause. And at this place of honor, we're humbled by the realization of how much so many gave to the cause of freedom and to their fellow man. Some who survived the battle of June 6, 1944, are here today. Others who hoped to return never did. "Someday, Lis, I'll go back," said Private First Class Peter Robert Zanatta, of the 37th Engineer Combat Battalion, and first assault wave to hit Omaha Beach. "I'll go back, and I'll see it all again. I'll see the beach, the barricades, and the graves." Those words of Private Zanatta come to us from his daughter, Lisa Zanatta Henn, in a heartrending story about the event her father spoke of so often. "In his words, the Normandy invasion would change his life forever," she said. She tells some of his stories of World War II but says of her father, "the story to end all stories was D-Day." "He made me feel the fear of being on that boat waiting to land. I can smell the ocean and feel the seasickness. I can see the looks on his fellow soldiers' faces--the fear, the anguish, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. And when they landed, I can feel the strength and courage of the men who took those first steps through the tide to what must have surely looked like instant death." Private Zanatta's daughter wrote to me: "I don't know how or why I can feel this emptiness, this fear, or this determination, but I do. Maybe it's the bond I had with my father. All I know is that it brings tears to my eyes to think about my father as a 20-year-old boy having to face that beach. So many men died. I know that my father watched many of his friends be killed. I know that he must have died inside a little each time. But his explanation to me was, 'You did what you had to do, and you kept on going.'" I'll never forget what you went through, Dad, nor will I let anyone else forget. And, Dad, I'll always be proud." What profound words!
In recounting the bravery and sacrifice of others to provide us with the physical freedom we enjoy today, I am reminded of the ultimate sacrifice of a father and a son to provide spiritual freedom to all who seek it. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 If you are only enjoying physical freedom today let me assure you, there is a greater freedom that was provided for you if you will only receive it.
We will never forget regardless of what we face. We will never forget regardless of what some may say. We couldn’t forget if we tried. To do that we would have to overlook their amazing courage, their undying commitment, and their selfless sacrifice. May we never fail to say thank you with our voices, our hearts, and with our lives. As President Reagan said in closing, “We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.” To all who have bravely served this nation…. Thank You!